WO2014016827A1

WO2014016827A1 - Liquid- jet rf energy treatment system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2014016827A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zion Azar
Original assignee: Pollogen Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-07-23
Filing date: 2013-07-21
Publication date: 2014-01-30

Abstract

System and method for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes, the system includes an RF power source and a first liquid jet sprinkler to sprinkle a liquid jet at a treated tissue, wherein a first pole of the RF power source is connected to the first jet sprinkler to charge with the first pole of the RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by the first jet sprinkler. A second pole of the RF power source may be connected to a grounding plate, or to a second jet sprinkler to charge with the second pole of the RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said second jet sprinkler.

Description

LIQUID- JET RF ENERGY TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Various kinds of RF energy devices for aesthetic treatment of the skin are in use in the cosmetics industry. The treatments provided by these devices are usually aimed at skin tightening. Excess adipose tissue may typically cause medical and aesthetical problems such as, for example, obesity, cellulites, loose skin, and wrinkles. By reducing the size of fat cells, the appearance of the outer layer of the skin can be improved.

[002] RF energy directed by treatment devices is usually aimed to improve the appearance of the skin by contracting the superficial collagen tissue at a defined depth. Devices that use monopolar electrode configuration may provide relatively high penetration depth of the RF energy, while devices that use bipolar electrode configuration may provide relatively superficial penetration depth of the RF energy. While enabling deeper penetration, monopolar electrode treatment may be disadvantageous because of the limited ability to control the path of the power and therefore low efficiency and pain may be caused by the treatment.

[003] An additional problem which is common to most RF treatments of skin fat is the electrode heating problem around the surface of the RF electrode applied to the skin surface. In order to avoid overheating of the skin, various different methods for skin cooling may have to be applied. Cooling may be applied prior the RF energy application or/and simultaneously. However, the use of a skin cooling device in combination with RF energy delivery device increases the cost of the combined system and result in a cumbersome and more expensive unit. Moreover, cooling of the skin reduces the efficacy of the treatment resulting in more treatment sessions and longer treatment time.

[004] TriPollar^® (Pollogen Ltd) RF technology employs a unique design based on multiple electrodes with a proprietary sequence of current modulation between these electrodes. For example, TriPollar^® design may be based on three electrodes, wherein one electrode acts as a positive pole while the other two act as negative poles. The current flowing through the common, positive pole may be twice that which flows through each of the negative poles. To avoid overheating of this common pole and of the tissue in contact with this pole, a sequence of electrical modulation is applied so that each electrode, in turn, acts as the common pole. Owing to this design no active cooling of the electrodes or the skin is required.

[005] Boisnic et al. (Ex vivo study of the home-use TriPollar^® RF device using an experimental human skin model, Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2010) show that significant collagen remodeling following RF treatment with a TriPollar RF device was found in the superficial and mid-deep dermis. Biochemical measurement of newly synthesized collagen showed an increase of 41% in the treated samples as compared to UV-aged control samples.

[006] Kaplan et al. (Clinical and histopathological results following TriPollar^® radiofrequency skin treatments, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2009; 11: 78-84) show an increase of 49% in dermal thickness, focal thickening of collagen fibers and focal shrinkage of fat cells following TriPollar^® treatments. Histology results indicated changes at the dermal and fat layers following TriPollar^® treatments resulting in increased collagen regeneration and stimulated fat metabolism.

[007] Additionally, it has been observed that the addition of a weak continuous direct electric current to the liquid surrounding the biofilm can dramatically increase the efficacy of antibiotics in bacterial biofilms, in a phenomenon known as the bioelectric effect. Caubet et al. (A Radio Frequency Electric Current Enhances Antibiotic Efficacy against Bacterial Biofilms, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 December; 48(12): 4662-4664) confirmed the bioelectric effect for Escherichia coli biofilms treated with gentamicin and with oxytetracycline, and reported a new bioelectric effect with a radio frequency alternating electric current (10 MHz) instead of the usual direct current.

[008] Treatments by RF electrodes in the various electrode configurations described above, may also be effected by the electrodes width that comes in contact with the skin, and the distance between the electrodes. The width of the electrode affects the amount of applied energy per area unit. In bipolar electrode configuration, the penetration depth depends on the distance between the electrodes. Usually, in order to change these parameters, an extensive mechanical design and/or exchangeable electrodes are requires. Therefore, RF treatment devices may benefit from an ability to vary the electrodes width and distance easily.

[009] Additionally, the ability to treat body tissues with solid RF electrodes may be limited in small body lumens such as, fore example, the mouth or inside lumens accessed by endoscopes, because of the limited access and approach. For such applications, a more flexible treatment method may be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes, the system may include: an RF power source and a first liquid jet sprinkler to sprinkle a liquid jet at a treated tissue, wherein a first pole of the RF power source is connected to the first jet sprinkler to charge with the first pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by the first jet sprinkler.

[0011] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, a second pole of the RF power source may be connected to a grounding plate.

[0012] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, a second pole of the RF power source may be connected to a second jet sprinkler to charge with the second pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by the second jet sprinkler.

[0013] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the system may include a control switch to control the liquid pressure of the liquid jet sprinkled by the first jet sprinkler.

[0014] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the first jet sprinkler may include an aperture through which the first jet sprinkler sprinkles the liquid, the aperture having a variable size.

[0015] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the first jet sprinkler may enable varying of the direction in which the liquid may be aimed by varying the direction in which the first jet sprinkler may be positioned.

[0016] According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method, the method may include: connecting a first pole of an RF power source to a first jet sprinkler to charge with the first pole of the RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by the first jet sprinkler and sprinkling a liquid jet at a treated tissue by the first jet sprinkler.

[0017] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include connecting a second pole of the RF power source to a grounding plate.

[0018] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include applying the RF energy provided by the RF source to a tissue between a tip of the liquid jet and the grounding plate.

[0019] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include connecting a second pole of the RF power source to a second jet sprinkler to charge with the second pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by the second jet sprinkler.

[0020] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include applying the RF energy provided by the RF source to a tissue between the first and second liquid jets. [0021] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include controlling the liquid pressure of the liquid jet sprinkled by the first jet sprinkler.

[0022] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include varying a size of an aperture through which the first jet sprinkler sprinkles the liquid.

[0023] Furthermore according to embodiments of the present invention, the method may include varying the direction in which the liquid may be aimed by varying the direction in which the first jet sprinkler may be positioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for RF energy treatment by a liquid jet monopolar electrode according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of a system for RF energy treatment by a liquid jet biopolar electrode according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figs. 3 A and 3B are schematic exemplary illustrations of jet sprinkler arrangements that may be used in embodiments of the present invention; and

[0028] Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0031] The present invention may provide a system and method for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes, made of, for example, water jets or jets of any other Liquid. Liquid electrodes may enable flexibility in several treatment parameters such as, for example, the distance between the treatment device and the treated tissue, the distance between the electrodes and the electrodes width, wherein by using liquid electrodes, these parameters may become substantially continuously changeable.

[0032] Additionally, the liquid electrodes may provide cooling effect between the RF pulses and thus, for example, make redundant additional cooling devices. For additional treating effect, the liquid pressure of the liquid jet may be controllably changeable and/or the liquid may include peeling granules for gently abrading the skin.

[0033] Throughout the present description, a statement that an RF source is being connected to an element means the RF source is electrically connected to this element to enable transfer of the RF energy provided by the RF source. Additionally, throughout the present description, the terms "liquid jet" and "liquid electrode" are used interchangeably and refer to the same element.

[0034] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic illustration of a system 100 for RF energy treatment by a liquid jet monopolar electrode according to embodiments of the present invention. System 100 may include an RF source 10, a liquid tank 12, a jet sprinkler 14 and a grounding plate 16. Liquid tank 12 may be filled with liquid such as, for example, water, for example salted water, or any other suitable liquid that has electrical conductivity such as saline. The liquid may contain beneficial ingredients for the tissue in treatment such as various vitamins and proteins for skin treatments or sodium monofiuorophophate, sodium fluoride, for example for gums treatment. Jet sprinkler 14 may perform suction of liquid, for example by a pump (shown in Fig. 3 below), and sprinkle the liquid in a form of liquid jet 15, for example through an aperture (shown in Fig. 3 below) and/or pipe. Jet sprinkler 14 may also include a pipe (not shown) through which liquid jet 15 may be sprinkled at a longer distance from jet sprinkler 14 and/or liquid tank 12 as may be required according to the specific application.

[0035] RF source 10 may provide RF power to liquid tank 12 or to jet sprinkler 14 in order to charge the liquid with RF energy. For example, one pole of RF source 10 may be connected to liquid tank 12 or to jet sprinkler 14 and another pole of RF source 10 may be connected to grounding plate 16. Therefore, liquid jet 15 sprinkled out of jet sprinkler 14 may be charged with RF energy. The charged liquid jet 15 sprinkled out of jet sprinkler 14 may operate as a monopolar electrode. In operation, the RF energy provided by RF source 10 may be applied to a tissue 50 between the tip of liquid electrode 15 and grounding plate 16. The RF flow of energy provided through the tip of liquid electrode 15 may penetrate all the way through tissue 50 to close the circuit with grounding plate 16. The liquid temperature may be sufficiently cool, for example at 5°c to 25° to sooth the skin around the contact point with liquid electrode 15.

[0036] The distance of jet sprinkler 14 from tissue 50 may vary according to the convenience of approach to the treated tissue by the user who operates system 100, for example, from distance of at least 2mm. The liquid pressure of liquid electrode 15 may be controlled at jet sprinkler 14, for example by a control switch controlled by a user (shown in Fig. 3 below). Additionally, the width of liquid electrode 15 may be varied, for example, by varying the size/diameter of an aperture/pipe through which jet sprinkler 14 sprinkles the liquid, for example as known in the art of garden sprayers or in any suitable manner. By controlling the width of liquid electrode 15, one can control the amount of energy applied per area unit (energy density). Additionally, jet sprinkler 14 may enable varying of the direction in which liquid electrode 15 is aimed, for example by a mechanism (not shown) to vary the direction in which jet sprinkler 14 is positioned.

[0037] The usage of a liquid electrode as an RF electrode for treatment of a body tissue has been proven by the inventor of the current invention to be feasible and efficient. In a demonstrative experiment, a water jet was utilized as an RF electrode for creating a non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) device to induce thermal damage to a tissue. For the experiment, a RF STOP^® (Pollogen Ltd.) generator has been modified to include two wires connected directly to the output of the RF generator. A chicken liver has been placed on aluminum foil to act as grounding plate 16 shown in Fig. 1. One pole of the RF generator has been connected to the aluminum foil. A 100ml of saline solution of 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Germany) has been used to fill a water reservoir of a Waterpik^® water flosser (Water Pik, Inc. USA). The second pole of the RF generator has been connected inside the reservoir. The RF generator has been turned on. The water flosser has been operated to pulse jets of the saline solution onto the chicken liver. It was shown that the RF energy carried by the saline water jet had sufficient energy to treat a body tissue, by showing that the point of contact of the saline water jet with the liver changed its color from dark red to grey, which indicated coagulation of the liver tissue.

[0038] Unlike monopolar electrode arrangements such as the one described above, bipolar electrode arrangements may provide much shallower penetration of energy, which usually depends on the distance between the electrodes. In bipolar electrode arrangement, the penetration depth of the provided energy may usually reach about half of the distance between the electrodes.

[0039] Reference is now made to Figs. 2A and 2B, which are schematic illustrations of a system 200 for RF energy treatment by liquid jet biopolar electrodes according to embodiments of the present invention. System 200 may include an RF source 20, a liquid tank 22 and jet sprinklers 24a and 24b. Liquid tank 22 may be filled with liquid such as, for example, salted water or any other suitable liquid. Each of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b may perform suction of liquid, for example by a pump (shown in Figs. 3A below), and sprinkle the liquid in a form of liquid jet 25a or 25b, respectively, for example through an aperture (shown in Fig. 3A below) and/or pipe. Alternatively, jet sprinklers 24a and 24b may share a mutual pump (shown in Fig. 3B below). Each of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b may also include a pipe (not shown) through which liquid jet 25a or 25b may be sprinkled at a longer distance from jet sprinkler 24a or 24b and/or liquid tank 22 as may be required according to the specific application.

[0040] RF source 20 may provide RF power to liquid tank 22 or to jet sprinklers 24a and 24b in order to charge the liquid with RF energy, for example, resulting in each liquid jet 25a or 25b charged by another pole of the provided RF energy. In case RF source 20 provides the RF power to liquid tank 22, liquid tank 22 may include two separate chambers (not shown), each chamber to provide liquid to another one of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b. In such case, each pole of RF source 20 may be connected to another chamber of liquid tank 22. In case RF source 20 provides the RF power to jet sprinklers 24a and 24b, each pole of RF source 20 may be connected to another one of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b. Therefore, liquid jets 25a and 25b sprinkled out of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b, respectively, may be charged with the two poles of RF energy provided by energy source 20. The charged liquid jets 25a and 25b sprinkled out of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b, respectively, may operate as a couple of bipolar electrodes. In operation, the RF energy provided by RF source 20 may be applied to tissue 60 between liquid electrodes 25a and 25b. The RF energy provided between liquid electrodes 25a and 25b may penetrate to a depth of up to about half the distance between electrodes 25a and 25b. As mentioned above, the liquid temperature may be sufficiently cool to sooth the skin around the contact points with liquid electrodes 25a and 25b.

[0041] As discussed above, the distance of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b from tissue 60 may vary according to the convenience of approach to the treated tissue by the user who operates system 100, for example, at least 2mm of distance. The liquid pressure of liquid electrodes 25a and 25b may be controlled at jet sprinklers 24a and 24b separately or together at a mutual pump (as shown in Fig. 3B below), for example by a control switch controlled by a user (shown in Figs. 3A an 3B below). Additionally, the width of liquid electrodes 25a and 25b may be varied, for example, by varying the size/diameter of an aperture/pipe through which jet sprinklers 24a and 24b sprinkle the liquid, for example as known in the art of garden sprayers or in any suitable manner. The width of each of liquid electrodes 25a and 25b can be controlled separately. By controlling the width of liquid electrodes 25a and 25b, one can control the amount of energy applied per area unit by each electrode. Figs. 2A and 2B demonstrate by example that the width of liquid electrodes 25a and 25b can be varied. Additionally, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, jet sprinklers 24a and 24b may enable varying of the directions in which liquid electrodes 25a and 25b are aimed, for example by a mechanism (not shown) to vary the direction in which each of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b is positioned. By changing the directions in which liquid electrodes 25a and 25b are aimed, one can change the distance between the contact points of the electrodes with the treated tissue, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2B, which may affect the penetration depth of the RF energy between the two contact points. Other methods for changing the distance between the contact points of the electrodes with the treated tissue may be used as well.

[0042] Reference is now made to Figs. 3 A and 3B, which are schematic exemplary illustrations of jet sprinkler arrangements 300 and 310, respectively, which may be used in embodiments of the present invention as described above. Jet sprinkler arrangements 300 or 310 may be included in jet sprinkler 14 or jet sprinklers 24a and 24b as may fit in a specific application. Jet sprinkler arrangement 300 may include a pump 32, a sprinkler unit 34, an aperture 36 and a control switch 32a. In some embodiments pump 32 may comprise two electrically isolated chambers to provide electrical isolation between the two liquid electrodes. As discussed above, control switch 32a may enable varying of the liquid pressure of the liquid sprinkled by jet sprinkler arrangement 300. Pump 32 may pump liquid from a liquid tank such as liquid tank 12 or 22 described above. The liquid may be sprinkled through sprinkler unit 34 that may include an aperture 36. As mentioned above, the size/diameter of aperture 36 may be varied. As mentioned above, a pipe (not shown) may be connected to aperture 36 in order to sprinkle liquid jet 15, 25a or 25b at a longer distance from jet sprinkler 14, 24a or 24b as may be required according to the specific application. Jet sprinkler arrangement 310 may include instead of one sprinkler unit 34, two or more sprinkler units 34a and 34b that include respective apertures 36a and 36b. This arrangement may perform the role of jet sprinklers 24a and 24b described above. As discussed above, control switch 32a may enable varying of the liquid pressure of the liquid sprinkled by jet sprinkler arrangement 310. Pump 32 may pump liquid from a liquid tank such as liquid tank 22 described above. The liquid may be sprinkled through sprinkler units 34a and 34b. Each of apertures 36a and 36b may have a variable size/diameter similarly to aperture 36 discussed above, and/or may include a connected pipe (not shown) as discussed above.

[0043] Additionally, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, sprinkler units 34a and 34b may enable varying of the directions in which liquid electrodes 25 a and 25b are aimed, for example by a mechanism (not shown) to vary the direction in which each of sprinkler units 34a and 34b is positioned. By changing the directions in which liquid electrodes 25a and 25b are aimed, one can change the distance between the contact points of the electrodes with the treated tissue, which may affect the penetration depth of the RF energy between the two contact points.

[0044] Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes according to embodiments of the present invention. As indicated in block 410, the method may include connecting a first pole of an RF power source to a first jet sprinkler, for example to charge with said first pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler, for example as described in detail above with reference to Figs. 1, 2A and 2B. Additionally, the method may include connecting a second pole of said RF power source to a grounding plate and, for example, applying the RF energy provided by said RF source to a tissue between a tip of said liquid jet and said grounding plate, for example as described in detail above with reference to Fig. 1.

[0045] Alternatively, the method may include connecting a second pole of said RF power source to a second jet sprinkler to charge with said second pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said second jet sprinkler and, for example, applying the RF energy provided by said RF source to a tissue between said first and second liquid jets, for example as described in detail above with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B.

[0046] Additionally, the method may include controlling the liquid pressure of the liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler, varying a size of an aperture through which said first jet sprinkler sprinkles the liquid and/or ,varying the distance between the contact points of the electrodes with the treated tissue by, for example, varying the direction in which the liquid is aimed by varying the direction in which said first jet sprinkler is positioned, for example as described above with reference to Figs 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.

[0047] As indicated in block 420, the method may include sprinkling a liquid jet at a treated tissue by said first jet sprinkler, for example as described in detail above with reference to Figs 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. [0048] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes, the system comprising:

an RF power source; and

a first liquid jet sprinkler to sprinkle a liquid jet at a treated tissue, wherein a first pole of said RF power source is connected to said first jet sprinkler to charge with said first pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a second pole of said RF power source is connected to a grounding plate.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a second pole of said RF power source is connected to a second jet sprinkler to charge with said second pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said second jet sprinkler.

4. The system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a control switch to control the liquid pressure of the liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler.

5. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first jet sprinkler comprises an aperture through which said first jet sprinkler sprinkles the liquid, said aperture having a variable size.

6. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first jet sprinkler enables varying of the direction in which the liquid is aimed by varying the direction in which said first jet sprinkler is positioned.

7. A method for RF energy treatment by liquid jet electrodes, the method comprising:

connecting a first pole of a RF power source to a first jet sprinkler to charge with said first pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler; and sprinkling a liquid jet at a treated tissue by said first jet sprinkler.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising connecting a second pole of said RF power source to a grounding plate.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising applying the RF energy provided by said RF source to a tissue between a tip of said liquid jet and said grounding plate.

10. The method according to claim 7, comprising connecting a second pole of said RF power source to a second jet sprinkler to charge with said second pole of RF power a liquid jet sprinkled by said second jet sprinkler.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising applying the RF energy provided by said RF source to a tissue between said first and second liquid jets.

12. The method according to any of claims 7-11, comprising controlling the liquid pressure of the liquid jet sprinkled by said first jet sprinkler.

13. The method according to any of claims 7-11, comprising varying a size of an aperture through which said first jet sprinkler sprinkles the liquid.

14. The method according to any of claims 7-11, comprising varying the direction in which the liquid is aimed by varying the direction in which said first jet sprinkler is positioned.