Patent ID: 6795728
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing subcutaneous fat deposits by electroporation comprising:an applicator comprising a plurality of needle electrodes adapted for penetrating the skin of a patient and applying a high amplitude pulsed electric field to the area of the subcutaneous volume of fat tissue to be treated by electroporation, at least one of said plurality of needle electrodes includes insulated portions and a pair of uninsulated needle portions axially separated along said needle electrode, wherein said uninsulated needle portions form axially separate electrodes of opposite polarity; and said insulated portions include proximal, distal, and central insulated portions, said proximal insulated portion being provided for insulating the skin of the patient during an electroporation treatment, said distal insulated portion being provided to avoid spark discharges to an adjacent needle electrode and said central insulated portion separating said electrodes, wherein said electrodes are disposed on said needle electrode such that they are disposed within the subcutaneous fat deposit during treatment; a generator of high voltage pulses for applying pulsed electric field to the electrodes, said pulses generating an electric field above the upper electroporation limit for subcutaneous fat cells in the volume of subcutaneous fat tissue to be treated; and connectors connecting said generator of high voltage electrical pulses with corresponding needle electrodes placed under the skin.