Patent ID: 6453202
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for treating the skin comprising:a housing configured to receive a membrane structure; a membrane positioned within the housing, the membrane at least partially insulative to the flow of electric current, at least partially conductive to the flow of heat and configured to be coupled to at least one of a fluid source or a power source, the membrane having at least a tissue contacting layer; an energy delivery device coupled to the membrane, the energy delivery device configured to deliver energy to a collagen containing tissue site, the energy delivery device configured to be coupled to a power source; a cooling fluid fluidically coupled to the membrane, the cooling fluid configured to provide a cooling effect to at least one of the membrane or the energy delivery device, a sensor coupled to the membrane; and a feedback control device electronically coupled to at least one of the sensor and the energy delivery device, wherein the energy delivery device comprises an electrode configured to be capacitively coupled to an epidermal layer overlying a collagen containing tissue layer, and the feedback control device includes at least one of an electronic controller and a multiplexer, multiplexed to at least one of the sensor or the energy delivery device.