Patent ID: 6772013
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A probe for heating and contracting fascia, the probe comprising:a rigid shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a probe surface disposed near the distal end; first and second elongate electrodes disposed along the probe surface, wherein each electrode has a rounded electrode surface protruding from the probe surface so that each electrode, in a cross-section across the elongate electrodes, has a tissue-engaging surface diameter between about 0.25 and 4 mm, and wherein the first and second electrodes are simultaneously erigageable against the fascia while a bipolar current flows therebetween to provide heating and contraction of the fascia, the first and second electrodes being laterally off-set so that the tissue-engaging surface diameters in the cross-section are separated by a separation distance of between about 1 and 4 times the electrode surface diameters so as to limit a depth of tissue heating; and a handle adjacent the proximal end of the shaft for manipulating the electrodes.