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Publication Number
US-12133674-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for the application of electric energy treatment(s) to skin tissue to alter pigmentation, and in particular to remove a tattoo. These methods and apparatuses may deliver pulsed electrical energy having a pulse duration in submicrosecond pulse range to provide high-field strength pulses that may effectively release tattoo ink and allow removal of tattoo ink regardless of ink color or composition.
Core Innovation
The invention provides tattoo removal using a system that applies pulsed electrical energy to a target region of skin comprising a tattoo. The pulsed electrical energy is delivered in a sub-microsecond pulse range through a plurality of electrodes using a pulse generator under control of a controller, at an energy density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3, to cause a release of tattoo ink from macrophages within the target region of the skin.
The invention further includes specific system configurations in which the applicator includes a plurality of electrodes and is used to apply the pulsed electrical energy to the target region. In one configuration, the applicator is operatively coupled to a movable arm, and instructions cause movement of the movable arm to contact the target region of tissue comprising a tattoo and direct application of the pulsed electrical energy.
In another configuration, the plurality of electrodes includes needle electrodes having a needle extending from an applicator base, with an insulated base portion and an uninsulated tip portion. The document also describes coordination with dye-disrupting therapy from one or more therapy applicators, and navigation interface and image acquisition concepts including receiving imaging data to determine a treatment path based on pigmentation and determining distance between a target region and multiple electrodes for control and guidance.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: a system, a system with movable arm and guidance concept, and a machine-readable tangible medium. Across these independent claims, the core coverage is the use of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy delivered through a plurality of electrodes at an energy density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3 to cause a release of tattoo ink from macrophages within a tattoo target region.
Sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy through multi-electrode applicator to release tattoo ink from macrophages
A system comprising a pulse generator; an applicator having a plurality of electrodes, the applicator configured to apply energy from the pulse generator to the plurality of electrodes; and a controller configured to control operation of the pulse generator, wherein the controller causes the application of a pulsed electrical energy having a pulse duration in a sub-microsecond pulse range through the plurality of electrodes to a target region of a skin comprising a tattoo such that the pulsed electrical energy is delivered at a density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3 to cause a release of a tattoo ink from macrophages within the target region of the skin.
Movable arm applicator applying sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy at defined energy density to release tattoo ink from macrophages
A system comprising a movable arm; an applicator having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the applicator is operatively coupled to the movable arm and configured to apply pulsed electrical energy from the plurality of electrodes; and one or more processors comprising instructions for moving the movable arm to contact a target region of tissue comprising a tattoo with the applicator and directing application of the pulsed electrical energy to the target region of tissue, wherein the pulsed electrical energy has a pulse duration in a sub-microsecond pulse range and electrical energy at a density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3 to cause a release of a tattoo ink from macrophages within the target region of the skin.
Machine-readable tangible medium instructions to deliver sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy between electrodes to release tattoo ink from macrophages
A machine-readable tangible medium storing instructions for causing one or more machines to execute operations for applying a plurality of electrodes on or into a subject's skin so that a target region of skin including a tattoo is between two or more of the plurality of electrodes and applying pulsed electrical energy having a pulse duration in a sub-microsecond pulse range between the two or more of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the pulsed electrical energy is delivered at a density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3 to release a tattoo ink from macrophages within the target region of skin.
The independent claim set consistently focuses on causing release of tattoo ink from macrophages using pulsed electrical energy with a pulse duration in a sub-microsecond pulse range delivered at an energy density between about 0.01 J/mm3 and about 1.5 J/mm3 through multi-electrode configurations. The coverage is implemented as a controllable system with a pulse generator and electrode applicator, extended by movable-arm actuation in one system claim, and further broadened by a machine-readable tangible medium storing instructions for placing electrodes around the target and delivering the specified pulsed electrical energy.
Stated Advantages
Cause a release of a tattoo ink from macrophages within a target region of tattooed skin.
Documented Applications
Tattoo removal from a subject by releasing tattoo ink from macrophages within a target region of skin comprising a tattoo.
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