System and methods of unattended treatment
In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, systems and methods for applying treatment energy, e.g., electromagnetic radiation such as laser radiation in the visible and near infrared wavelengths, to body areas having bulges and fat deposits, loose skin, pain, acne and/or wounds. In some aspects, the systems and methods can enable relatively lengthy treatments to be performed by having the practitioner set-up and/or start the treatment, thereafter allowing the treatment to proceed safely and effectively without the continued presence of the practitioner.
1. A method of treating body tissue using a non-invasive body contouring system, comprising:
providing a first frame comprising a first fastening member, the first frame defining a first aperture;
providing a first applicator;
generating RF energy from a source disposed in a housing of the non-invasive body contouring system;
delivering the RF energy to the first applicator via an umbilical extending from the housing to the first applicator; and
transmitting the RF energy delivered to the first applicator through a first aperture,
wherein the first frame is configured such that a surface of a tissue treatment region extends into the first aperture when the first frame is coupled to a patient's body,
wherein the first applicator is coupled to the first frame, using the first fastening member, the first applicator comprising a cooled skin-contacting surface,
wherein a portion of the surface of the tissue treatment region extending into the first aperture contacts the cooled skin-contacting surface.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising
providing a second frame comprising a second fastening member, the second frame defining a second aperture,
wherein the second frame is configured such that a surface of the tissue treatment region extends into the second aperture when the second frame is coupled to a patient's body,
wherein a second applicator is coupled to the second frame.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first frame and the second frame are linked by a hinge disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one arm extending from the housing for supporting the umbilical, the method further comprising disposing the arm above the patient's body when performing treatment.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the arm comprises at least one brake in contact with the umbilical so as to maintain a desired amount of lead of the umbilical between the at least one brake and the applicator associated with the umbilical.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising securing a belt coupled to the first frame around at least a portion of the patient's body.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the treatment region comprises one of submental, jowl, and neck tissue and wherein the belt is secured about the patient's head or neck.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more fluid pathways disposed in the first conduit, wherein the one or more fluid pathways are operable to deliver and return cooling fluid from the first applicator, the cooling fluid in fluid communication with the cooled skin-contacting surface.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a cooling mechanism operable to cool the cooled skin-contacting surface when performing treatment to maintain the skin contacting surface at a desired temperature during treatment.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a mask configured to occlude a portion of the aperture of the frame to prevent a portion of the surface of the patient's body from extending into the first aperture and into contact with the cooled skin-contacting surface of the first applicator.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mask defines an unmasked portion having an area smaller than the cooled skin-contacting surface of the first applicator and the first aperture of the first frame associated with the mask, the method further comprising adjusting at least one of the size and shape of the unmasked portion.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin surface extends into the first aperture.