A method of applying RF energy includes using an RF energy applicator assembly to apply RF energy to a tissue. The RF energy applicator assembly includes a housing, and RF electrodes coupled to an RF energy source and movably mounted in the housing. The RF electrodes have a retracted position, in which the RF electrodes are retracted inside the housing, and deployed positions in which the RF electrodes protrude out of the housing at different protrusion lengths. An actuator is coupled to the RF electrodes and configured to move the RF electrodes from the retracted position to any one of the deployed positions.

A method in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention includes increasing a concentration of a modified or unmodified saccharide within a subject's skin, applying an applicator to the subject's skin, and cooling the subject's skin via a heat-transfer surface of the applicator. The saccharide within the subject's skin can enhance a resistance of at least some cells within the subject's skin to damage associated with the cooling. A corresponding system includes the applicator, the saccharide, and an energy-delivery device. The energy-delivery device can be configured to apply ultrasound, optical, thermal, or another type of energy to the subject's skin to drive the saccharide into the subject's skin. The system can also include a penetration enhancer configured to enhance penetration of the saccharide into the subject's skin. The penetration enhancer can be applied with the saccharide or separately.

The present disclosure relates to a fat-removing surgical instrument. The present disclosure additionally arranges/provides, on a lipolyzed fat suction passage of a wave-guide tube, an optical fiber support which is made from an insulating material and which supports optical fibers in a restrained state while fixed to the wave-guide tube, so that the optical fibers are prevented from being deformed and coming in contact with the wave-guide tube, and thus, the optical fibers are induced, even though a variety of factors (for example, weight, contact with human tissue and the like) are applied to the optical fibers during fat removal surgery, to effectively avoid coming in direct contact with the wave-guide tube and being damaged thereby, while a series of deformations (for example, a curved shape and the like) are inhibited/controlled, on the basis of forceful restraint of the optical fiber support.

Provided in the present invention is a handpiece (300) for a treatment device with improved stability and hygiene function by being configured so as to freely adjust the angle of a vacuum cap depending on a treatment site and to attach/detach the vacuum cap to/from the handpiece (300). The handpiece (300) capable of attaching/detaching a vacuum cap and adjusting an angle of the vacuum cap comprises: a vacuum cap (310) having an open lower surface and a hollow part formed therein; a body part (410) configured to attach/detach the vacuum cap (310) thereto/therefrom; a vacuum device (350) for providing a reference negative pressure to the vacuum cap so that a target site of the skin can be adhered toward the hollow part of the vacuum cap; a reference negative pressure variable device (360) for varying the reference negative pressure in a pulse form under the condition in which the hollow part of the vacuum cap (310) maintains the negative pressure; RF electrodes (320, 321) configured to be exposed to the inside wall of the vacuum cap (310) so that, when the target site of the skin has been adhered toward the hollow part of the vacuum cap (310), the skin adhered toward the hollow part comes into contact with the inside of the hollow part of the vacuum cap (310); and a control unit (380) for controlling driving of the vacuum device (350), the reference negative pressure variable device (360), and the RF electrodes (320, 321). The driving of the reference negative pressure variable device (360) and the RF electrodes (320, 321) for treating the target site of the skin is controlled so as to select any one of single driving, simultaneous driving, and alternating driving. The attachment/detachment of the vacuum cap (310) to/from the body part (410) is made by simultaneous coupling or simultaneous separation of a vacuum cap connection unit (430) that consists of a vacuum tube coupler (432) configured at an end of the body part (410), power supply connectors (433, 434), and a clip (435).

A method can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat lobuli and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a conformal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a surface of a fat lobuli. The lesion creates an opening in the surface of the fat which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat lobuli and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43° C. and 49° C. degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Methods of lifting and elevating various areas on a body including skin and tissue of a subject, such as an umbilicus region, using one or more threads including a plurality of features are provided herein. In a desired area of the body to be lifted, a method includes passing a first end of a first thread through a first path defined under the skin of the subject and passing a second end of the first thread through a second path defined under the skin of the subject and pulling one or more ends of the one or more threads in a direction to effect lifting of the desired area followed by fastening of the one or more ends of the one or more threads. The subject may have undergone liposuction prior to performance of the method.

Methods of inducing apoptosis in a tissue may include providing a tissue separation and equalization device having a generally elongated tissue insertion member, providing an incision in tissue, inserting the tissue insertion member of the tissue separation and equalization device through the incision into the tissue reducing a temperature of the tissue insertion member and removing the tissue insertion member from the tissue.

Compositions and formulations for use with devices and systems that enable tissue cooling, such as cryotherapy applications, for alteration and reduction of adipose tissue are described. Aspects of the technology are further directed to methods, compositions and devices that provide protection of non-targeted cells (e.g., non-lipid-rich cells) from freeze damage during dermatological and related aesthetic procedures that require sustained exposure to cold temperatures. Further aspects of the technology include systems for enhancing sustained and/or replenishing release of cryoprotectant to a treatment site prior to and during cooling applications.

An unattended approach can increase the reproducibility and safety of the treatment as the chance of over/under treating of a certain area is significantly decreased. On the other hand, unattended treatment of uneven or rugged areas can be challenging in terms of maintaining proper distance or contact with the treated tissue, mostly on areas which tend to differ from patient to patient (e.g. facial area). Delivering energy via a system of active elements embedded in a flexible pad adhesively attached to the skin offers a possible solution. The unattended approach may include delivering of multiple energies to enhance a visual appearance.