IP Verse

Device And Method For Unattended Treatment Of A Patient

Patent No. US11679255 (titled "Device And Method For Unattended Treatment Of A Patient") was filed by Btl Healthcare Technologies As on Sep 9, 2022.

What is this patent about?

’255 is related to the field of aesthetic medical devices, specifically those used for skin rejuvenation, wrinkle removal, and body contouring. Traditional methods often rely on manual operation, leading to inconsistent results and potential risks like burns. Unattended devices exist, but struggle with uneven surfaces like the face, requiring consistent contact or distance. This patent addresses the need for a safe and reproducible unattended treatment for uneven areas, particularly the face, by combining electromagnetic energy and electrical stimulation.

The underlying idea behind ’255 is to use a flexible pad with embedded active elements (electrodes) that can conform to the contours of uneven body parts like the face. These elements deliver both radiofrequency energy for heating the tissue and pulsed electric current for muscle stimulation , allowing for unattended treatment. The flexible pad ensures good contact, while the combination of heating and muscle stimulation enhances visual appearance.

The claims of ’255 focus on a device comprising a flexible pad with an electrode, where the pad is configured to be attached to a body part of a patient during treatment, specifically the face, neck, or submentum. The electrode applies radiofrequency energy in the range of 400 kHz to 80 MHz to heat the skin to a temperature in the range of 37.5° C. to 65° C. The electrode also applies a pulsed electric current with a duration in the range of 0.1 μs to 10 s to cause electric muscle stimulation. A control unit manages both the radiofrequency energy and the pulsed electric current.

In practice, the flexible pad is adhesively attached to the patient's face or neck. The control unit then activates the electrodes, delivering radiofrequency energy to heat the skin and pulsed electric current to stimulate the underlying muscles. Thermal sensors within the pad provide feedback to the control unit, allowing it to adjust the energy delivery to maintain a safe and consistent temperature. The pulsed electric current causes muscle contractions, further enhancing the rejuvenating effect.

This approach differs from prior solutions by combining two treatment modalities (heating and muscle stimulation) in a single, flexible, unattended device. Existing devices often require manual operation or are not well-suited for uneven surfaces. The flexible pad ensures consistent contact, while the combination of radiofrequency and pulsed electric current provides a more comprehensive treatment for skin rejuvenation and muscle toning. The unattended nature of the device also reduces the risk of operator error and improves treatment reproducibility.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2020s when ’255 was filed, electromagnetic energy was commonly delivered for medical and cosmetic purposes at a time when systems typically relied on manual movement of a handheld device by an operator. At that time, unattended skin delivery systems were emerging, but maintaining consistent contact with uneven treatment areas remained non-trivial.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was subject to a restriction requirement, dividing the claims into three groups: a device for treatment, a device comprising a radiofrequency generator and pad, and a method of treating a patient. A provisional election was made without traverse to prosecute the first group of claims. Claims 1-15 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103. Claims 16-30 were withdrawn from consideration.

Claims

This patent contains 22 claims, with independent claims 1, 8, and 16. The independent claims are directed to a device for treating a patient using radiofrequency energy and pulsed electric current, involving a pad with an electrode and a control unit. The dependent claims generally specify further details and variations of the device, such as modulation of the pulsed electric current, inclusion of adhesives or sensors, preprogrammed treatment protocols, and specific body parts or muscles targeted.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Electric muscle stimulation
(Claim 1)		“Another desired effect may include tissue rejuvenation, e.g. muscle strengthening through the muscle contraction caused by electric or electromagnetic energy, which doesn't heat the patient, or the muscle relaxation caused by a pressure massage. The combined effect of muscle contractions via electric energy and tissue (e.g. skin) heating by electromagnetic field in accordance to the description may lead to significant improvement of visual appearance.”Stimulation of a muscle by means of an electric current.
Flexible pad
(Claim 8, Claim 16)		“For contact therapy, the proposed device comprises at least one electromagnetic energy generator inside a main unit that generates an electromagnetic energy which is delivered to the treatment area via at least one active element attached to the skin. At least one active element may be embedded in a pad made of flexible material that adapts to the shape of the rugged surface.”A pad made of flexible material that can be attached to a body part of a patient.
Pulsed electric current
(Claim 1, Claim 8, Claim 16)		“Another desired effect may include tissue rejuvenation, e.g. muscle strengthening through the muscle contraction caused by electric or electromagnetic energy, which doesn't heat the patient, or the muscle relaxation caused by a pressure massage. The combined effect of muscle contractions via electric energy and tissue (e.g. skin) heating by electromagnetic field in accordance to the description may lead to significant improvement of visual appearance.”An electric current delivered in pulses, used to cause electric muscle stimulation or contraction.
Radiofrequency energy
(Claim 1, Claim 8, Claim 16)		“For contact therapy a target temperature of the skin may be typically within the range of 37.5° C. to 95° C. or in the range of 38° C. to 90° C. or in the range of 39° C. to 85° C. or in the range of 40° C. to 80° C. while for contactless therapy a target temperature of the skin may be in the range of 37.5° C. to 130° C. or in the range of 38° C. to 120° C. or in the range of 39° C. to 110° C. or in the range of 40° C. to 100° C. The temperature within the range of 37.5° C. to 130° C. or in the range of 38° C. to 120° C. or in the range of 39° C. to 110° C. or in the range of 40° C. to 100° C. may lead to stimulation of fibroblasts and formation of connective tissue—e.g. collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid etc.”Electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range, used to cause heating of the skin.
Radiofrequency heating
(Claim 1, Claim 8, Claim 16)		“The desired effect may include tissue (e.g. skin) heating (thermal therapy) in the range of 37.5° C. to 65° C. or in the range of 38° C. to 60° C. or in the range of 39° C. to 55° C. or in the range of 40° C. to 50° C., tissue coagulation at temperatures in the range of 37.5° C. to 95° C. or in the range of 38° C. to 90° C. or in the range of 39° C. to 85° C. or in the range of 40° C. to 80° C. or tissue ablation at temperatures in the range of 50° C. to 130° C. or in the range of 55° C. to 120° C. or in the range of 60° C. to 110° C. or in the range of 60° C. to 100° C.”Heating of the skin caused by radiofrequency energy.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-23404Jul 29, 2025BTL Industries, Inc. v. Lexter Microelectronic Engineering Systems S.L. et al
2:25-cv-00219Jul 24, 2025Btl Industries, Inc. V. Studio Ems, Llc
1:25-cv-20564Feb 6, 2025Btl Industries, Inc. V. Dna Distribution, Llc

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US11679255

BTL HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES AS
Application Number
US17930888
Filing Date
Sep 9, 2022
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
May 3, 2041
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents