Patent ID: 8535302

Claim:
A method of treating a patient comprising: attaching a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module; placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a skin surface, wherein the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber are separated by, and in fluid communication with, a flexible bio-barrier; pulling a portion of the patient's skin into the tissue acquisition chamber and pulling the flexible bio-barrier against a distal end of the applicator by creating a vacuum in the tissue acquisition chamber, the vacuum being created by drawing air from the tissue acquisition chamber to a vacuum source in the applicator through a vacuum path comprising the applicator chamber and a filter between the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber; and applying microwave energy through said flexible bio-barrier to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber.