IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,521,295
Granted Patent B2
US 8,521,295 · App. 11/743,121 · Granted Aug 27, 2013

Location and deactivation of muscles

Inventor: Michael D. Laufer (Menlo Park, CA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,521,295
App. No.
11/743,121
Granted
Aug 27, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and devices for treatment to at least interfere with the function of a muscle are described herein. These methods and devices may have application in cosmetic and plastic surgery, dermatology, suppression of tension and/or migraine-type headaches, pain management, one particular application of the subject matter deals primarily with reducing wrinkles caused by ongoing muscular activation. The devices and methods described herein allow medical practitioners to effectively identify selective nerves for paralyzingmuscles, without the need for injections of agents such as botulism toxin. Moreover, the devices and methods herein, may allow for artificial generation of signals in nerves that were otherwise damaged by stimulating transmission of nerve signals across damaged nerves.

Claims (11)

1. A method for treating tissue comprising:

applying an electrical impulse at a frequency to a nerve associated with a physical characteristic;

varying the frequency of the electrical impulse until triggering the physical characteristic;

identifying the frequency corresponding with the triggering of the physical characteristic; and

applying energy at the frequency corresponding with the triggering of the physical characteristic to damage the nerve.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising testing the effectiveness of the procedure by attempting to restimulate the nerve and observe the muscle.

3. The method of claim 1 , where a first device applies the electrical impulse and a second device applies the energy.

4. The method of claim 3 , where the second device comprises a wire having a length of at least 10 mm.

5. The method of claim 1 , where the second device comprises a wire in the form of a coil.

6. The method of claim 1 , where triggering the physical characteristic comprises triggering the corrugator muscle.

7. The method of claim 1 , triggering the physical characteristic comprises triggering the procerus muscle.

Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 11234547 · Sep 23, 2005
Provisional Application 60796688 · May 1, 2006
Provisional Application 60612385 · Sep 23, 2004
Related Publication 20070255342A1 · Nov 1, 2007