The invention relates to a method for lipolysis using multiple RF electrodes inserted into the subcutaneous fat.

Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. In some embodiments, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation is achieved via delivery of a pulsed thermal therapy.

Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. In some embodiments, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation is achieved via delivery of a pulsed thermal therapy.

The invention provides a non-invasive treatment device (100) for heating a first (15) and a second (25) inner region of skin using r.f. electrical current, comprising: a first r.f. treatment electrode (10) configured and arranged to allow r.f. current to pass through the first inner region (15) to a return electrode (340), a second r.f. treatment electrode (20) configured and arranged to allow r.f. current to pass through the second inner region (25) to the return electrode (340), the device further being arranged such that the smallest distance between the first r.f. treatment electrode (10) and the return electrode (340) is less than the smallest distance between the second r.f. treatment electrode (20) and the return electrode (340); wherein the electrical skin contact area of the return electrode (340) is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode (10), and the electrical skin contact area of the second r.f. treatment electrode (20) is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode (10). By incorporating the second and first treatment electrodes in the same device, or probe, the positional relationship between the first and second regions being heated is fixed, or at least more predictable. By means of a suitable configuration, the regions may coincide to a smaller or greater degree. In some cases, the configuration may allow the same skin condition to be treated using heating of the first and second inner regions without moving the device over the skin. By providing an electrical skin contact area of the return electrode which is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode, the locations heated by the r.f. electrical current will be proximate to the first treatment electrode, reducing the possibility of undesirable hotspots proximate the return electrode (340).

The invention provides a non-invasive treatment device (100) for heating a first (15) and a second (25) inner region of skin using r.f. electrical current, comprising: a first r.f. treatment electrode (10) configured and arranged to allow r.f. current to pass through the first inner region (15) to a return electrode (340), a second r.f. treatment electrode (20) configured and arranged to allow r.f. current to pass through the second inner region (25) to the return electrode (340), the device further being arranged such that the smallest distance between the first r.f. treatment electrode (10) and the return electrode (340) is less than the smallest distance between the second r.f. treatment electrode (20) and the return electrode (340); wherein the electrical skin contact area of the return electrode (340) is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode (10), and the electrical skin contact area of the second r.f. treatment electrode (20) is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode (10). By incorporating the second and first treatment electrodes in the same device, or probe, the positional relationship between the first and second regions being heated is fixed, or at least more predictable. By means of a suitable configuration, the regions may coincide to a smaller or greater degree. In some cases, the configuration may allow the same skin condition to be treated using heating of the first and second inner regions without moving the device over the skin. By providing an electrical skin contact area of the return electrode which is 5 or more times larger than the electrical skin contact area of the first r.f. treatment electrode, the locations heated by the r.f. electrical current will be proximate to the first treatment electrode, reducing the possibility of undesirable hotspots proximate the return electrode (340).

Methods for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

Methods for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

Disclosed is a treatment device capable of suppressing generation of pain in a person to be treated and obtaining a continuous and fundamental skin treatment effect. The treatment device includes a handpiece body, a needle unit which is provided at one side of the handpiece body and includes a plurality of needles including hollow portions therein and having front ends inserted into an epidermis of skin of a person to be treated, a high frequency generator which is electrically connected to the needle unit, receives a high frequency current when the front ends of the needles are inserted into the epidermis, and heats the needles using the high frequency current, and a medicine delivery unit which communicates with the hollow portions of the plurality of needles and delivers a medicine to the epidermis through the hollow portions when the front ends of the needles are inserted into the epidermis.

Disclosed is a treatment device capable of suppressing generation of pain in a person to be treated and obtaining a continuous and fundamental skin treatment effect. The treatment device includes a handpiece body, a needle unit which is provided at one side of the handpiece body and includes a plurality of needles including hollow portions therein and having front ends inserted into an epidermis of skin of a person to be treated, a high frequency generator which is electrically connected to the needle unit, receives a high frequency current when the front ends of the needles are inserted into the epidermis, and heats the needles using the high frequency current, and a medicine delivery unit which communicates with the hollow portions of the plurality of needles and delivers a medicine to the epidermis through the hollow portions when the front ends of the needles are inserted into the epidermis.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can quickly and reversibly block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a first nerve block modality that provides heat to the nerve to block conduction in the nerve. For example, the heat can provide the quick nerve block. The system can also include a second nerve block modality that provides an electrical signal to the nerve to block the conduction in the nerve. For example, the electrical signal can provide the reversibility. In some instances, the heat can be provided by an infrared light signal and the electrical signal can be provided by a kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) signal or a direct current (DC) signal.