Stephen Michael Brunell

US Patent:

6461350, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Sep 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/162110

Inventors:

Ronald A. Underwood - Belmont CA
Stephen M. Brunell - Mountain View CA
Michael A. Baker - Woodside CA
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 32, 606 41, 604 35, 604114, 607 99, 607105, 607113

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for removing adipose or fatty tissue underlying a patients epidermis is disclosed (e. g. , liposuction, abdominoplasty, and the like). The method includes positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target region of fatty tissue. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrodes, and the fatty tissue or fragments of the fatty tissue are aspirated from the target region. The high frequency voltage either softens the fatty tissue or completely removes at least a portion of the tissue. In both embodiments, the remaining fatty tissue is more readily detached from the adjacent tissue in the absence of energy, and less mechanical force is required for removal. The bipolar configuration of the present invention controls the flow of current to the immediate region around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through 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:

6461354, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/313956

Inventors:

Phillip M. Olsen - Sunnyvale CA
Stephen M. Brunell - Mountain View CA
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 41, 607 99, 604114

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location on an external body surface, such as skin tissue removal and/or collagen shrinkage in the epidermis or dermis, e. g. , the removal of pigmentations, vascular lesions (e. g. , leg veins), scars, tattoos, etc. , and for other surgical procedures on the skin, such as tissue rejuvenation, cosmetic surgery, wrinkle removal, hair removal and/or transplant procedures. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals adjacent an external body surface, such as the outer surface of the skin, to remove and/or modify the structure of tissue structures within the skin. Depending on the specific cosmetic procedure, the present invention may be used to: (1) volumetrically remove tissue or hair (i. e. , ablate or effect molecular dissociation of the tissue structure); (2) separate a tissue layer from an underlying tissue layer so that the tissue layer can be removed; (3) shrink or contract collagen connective tissue; and/or (4) coagulate blood vessels underlying the surface of the skin.

US Patent:

6719754, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Apr 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/119925

Inventors:

Ronald A. Underwood - Belmont CA
Stephen M. Brunell - Mountain View CA
Michael A. Baker - Woodside CA
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 32, 606 41, 604 35, 604114, 607 99, 607105, 607113

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for removing adipose or fatty tissue underlying a patients epidermis is disclosed (e. g. , liposuction, abdominoplasty, and the like). The method includes positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target region of fatty tissue. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrodes, and the fatty tissue or fragments of the fatty tissue are aspirated from the target region. The high frequency voltage either softens the fatty tissue or completely removes at least a portion of the tissue. In both embodiments, the remaining fatty tissue is more readily detached from the adjacent tissue in the absence of energy, and less mechanical force is required for removal. The bipolar configuration of the present invention controls the flow of current to the immediate region around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through 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:

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:

7678069, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Jun 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/586295

Inventors:

Michael A. Baker - Austin TX, US
Stephen M. Brunell - San Ramon CA, US
Jean Woloszko - Austin TX, US
Ronald A. Underwood - Belmont CA, US
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA, US
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH, US

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61M 17/20

US Classification:

604 22

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s). Within the ionized gas or plasma, free electrons are accelerated, and electron-atoms collisions liberate more electrons, and the process cascades until the plasma contains sufficient energy to break apart the tissue molecules, causing molecular dissociation and ablation of the target tissue.

US Patent:

7758537, Jul 20, 2010

Filed:

Apr 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/293231

Inventors:

Stephen M. Brunell - San Ramon CA, US
Jean Woloszko - Austin TX, US
Michael A. Baker - Austin TX, US
Hira V. Thapliyal - Los Altos CA, US
Philip E. Eggers - Dublin OH, US

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61B 17/20

US Classification:

604 22

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for removing the outer layer, or stratum corneum, of a patient's skin. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning an active electrode adjacent to or near a target site on a patient's outer skin, and applying a sufficient high frequency voltage to the active electrode to remove the stratum corneum without removing the entire epidermis layer. In this manner, the present invention removes dead and/or damaged skin cells on the surface of the skin which improves the overall appearance of the skin. In addition, this process helps to stimulate the bodies own rejuvenation process. In some embodiments, this rejuvenation process occurs by the actual removal of the stratum corneum, which accelerates the regrowth of new cell layers in the skin. In other embodiments, thermal energy is applied to the underlying epidermis and/or dermis to stimulate the growth of new collagen. In both of these embodiments, the skin appears healthier and, in some cases, small wrinkles are removed or reduced.

US Patent:

20010029373, Oct 11, 2001

Filed:

Jan 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/774448

Inventors:

Michael Baker - Woodside CA, US
Stephen Brunell - Mountain View CA, US
Ronald Underwood - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

ArthroCare Corporation

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/049000

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for treating a discolored blood vessel in tissue under the surface of the skin. In this method, one or more active electrode(s) are positioned in close proximity to a target region of the blood vessel, and a sufficient high frequency voltage is applied to the electrode terminal(s) to cause thermal damage to a target region within the blood vessel. The thermal injury causes the vessel to shrink or to thrombose and collapse so that blood flow through the vessel is restricted or completely interrupted. Preferably, the vessel is injured with minimal thermal energy being applied to the surrounding tissue, which prevents the tissue discoloration or scarring associated with prior art thermal processes. The electrode terminal(s) may be positioned on the external surface of the skin, or they may be introduced through a percutaneous penetration in the outer skin surface to the blood vessel. In the latter embodiment, the percutaneous penetration may be formed by advancing one or more needle electrodes through the outer surface of the skin to the target region of the vessel.

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.