To provide a method and device for contracting a collagen containing tissue and tightening the skin without forming burn of a first degree or above on the exterior surface.
The device is equipped with a thermal energy source; an energy supply device which delivers thermal energy from the energy source to the underlying collagen tissue through an external skin layer surface and heats the collagen tissue, a controller constituted so as to supply sufficient thermal energy to the collagen tissue by controlling the energy supply device, contract the collagen tissue, and tighten the exterior skin layer surface, and a cooling element which is the cooling element for cooling the exterior skin layer surface and generating a reverse heat gradient which is at a lower temperature on the exterior skin layer surface and is at higher temperature in the underlying collagen tissue by cooling the exterior skin layer surface, sufficiently cools the exterior skin layer surface by it, and does not form the burn deeper than the first degree burn on the exterior skin layer surface while the collagen tissue is contracted. A method for using the device is also provided.
COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Fumiaki Otsuka
Shishido Kaichi
Nobuo Ogawa
Takaki Nishijima