Ronald E Underwood

US Patent:

6896672, May 24, 2005

Filed:

May 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/562650

Inventors:

Andrew R. Eggers - Ostrander OH, US
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH, US
Ronald A. Underwood - Belmont CA, US
Stephen M. Brunell - Mountain View CA, US
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Arthrocare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B018/12
A61B018/14

US Classification:

606 32, 606 41, 604114, 607 99

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e. g. , blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.

US Patent:

20030212396, Nov 13, 2003

Filed:

Mar 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/389159

Inventors:

Andrew Eggers - Ostrander OH, US
Philip Eggers - Dublin OH, US
Ronald Underwood - Belmont CA, US
Stephen Brunell - Mountain View CA, US
Hira Thapliyal - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.

US Patent:

61171093, Sep 12, 2000

Filed:

Sep 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/162117

Inventors:

Andrew R. Eggers - Ostrander OH
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH
Ronald A. Underwood - Belmont CA
Stephen M. Brunell - Mountain View CA
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61F 712

US Classification:

604114

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e. g. , blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.