Device for Treating Soft Tissue on Face or Chin with RF and Electricity
This patent describes a device that attaches to a patient's face or chin to treat soft tissue by heating it with radiofrequency energy and causing muscles to contract with electric current.
Original patent title: “Systems and methods for treatment of a patient including RF and electrical energy”
This patent describes a device that attaches to a patient's face or chin to treat soft tissue by heating it with radiofrequency energy and causing muscles to contract with electric current. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This device is designed for soft tissue treatment, specifically on a patient's face or chin. It includes an applicator with at least one electrode, which is held in place by a fastening mechanism. A control unit, containing a microprocessor, manages the electrode's functions. The electrode delivers two types of energy: radiofrequency (RF) energy, which causes the soft tissue to heat up, and an electric current, which makes muscles contract. For example, a user could fasten the device to their chin, and the device would then warm the skin and gently stimulate the underlying muscles.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover devices that only use radiofrequency energy without also applying electric current for muscle contraction.
- Does not cover devices that only use electric current for muscle contraction without also applying radiofrequency energy for heating.
- Does not cover treatments for body parts other than the face or chin, as explicitly stated in the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →.
- Does not cover treatments that do not involve both heating soft tissue and causing muscle contraction.
- Does not cover devices that are not fixed to the body part using a fastening mechanism.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The cleverness lies in integrating both radiofrequency energy for tissue heating and electric current for muscle contraction within a single applicator, controlled by a microprocessor, specifically for targeted soft tissue treatment on the face or chin. This dual-action approach aims to provide a more complete aesthetic benefit in one treatment session.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Devices for non-invasive facial rejuvenation
Professional aesthetic treatment machines
At-home facial toning devices
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent matters because it combines two distinct and popular aesthetic treatment modalities—radiofrequency heating for tissue tightening and electrical muscle stimulation for toning—into a single integrated device. This combined approach could offer a more comprehensive and efficient treatment for facial aesthetics. It targets a significant market for non-invasive cosmetic improvements, aiming to address both skin and muscle concerns simultaneously.
Filed
January 29, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like InMode, Lumenis, and Candela are active in developing and selling professional aesthetic devices that use radiofrequency and other energy types for skin and tissue treatment. Many consumer electronics companies also produce at-home facial toning devices that use electrical muscle stimulation. This patent's focus on combining these technologies suggests it could be relevant to both professional and consumer-grade aesthetic device manufacturers.
Market impact
This patent aims to advance the non-invasive aesthetic market by integrating two distinct treatment modalities into a single device. If commercialized, it could streamline treatment protocols and potentially offer enhanced results compared to single-modality systems. It could also influence the design of future multi-function cosmetic devices, potentially creating a new category of combined RF and EMS facial treatment products.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This device is designed for soft tissue treatment, specifically on a patient's face or chin. It includes an applicator with at least one electrode, which is held in place by a fastening mechanism. A control unit, containing a microprocessor, manages the electrode's functions. The electrode delivers two types of energy: radiofrequency (RF) energy, which causes the soft tissue to heat up, and an electric current, which makes muscles contract. For example, a user could fasten the device to their chin, and the device would then warm the skin and gently stimulate the underlying muscles.
The clever bit
The cleverness lies in integrating both radiofrequency energy for tissue heating and electric current for muscle contraction within a single applicator, controlled by a microprocessor, specifically for targeted soft tissue treatment on the face or chin. This dual-action approach aims to provide a more complete aesthetic benefit in one treatment session.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover devices that only use radiofrequency energy without also applying electric current for muscle contraction.
- Does not cover devices that only use electric current for muscle contraction without also applying radiofrequency energy for heating.
- Does not cover treatments for body parts other than the face or chin, as explicitly stated in the abstract.
- Does not cover treatments that do not involve both heating soft tissue and causing muscle contraction.
- Does not cover devices that are not fixed to the body part using a fastening mechanism.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.3 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Device for Treating Soft Tissue on Face or Chin with RF and Electricity (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,353). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734353/systems-and-methods-for-treatment-of-a-patient-including-rf-and-electrical
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Device for Treating Soft Tissue on Face or Chin with RF and Electricity cover?
This patent describes a device that attaches to a patient's face or chin to treat soft tissue by heating it with radiofrequency energy and causing muscles to contract with electric current.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent matters because it combines two distinct and popular aesthetic treatment modalities—radiofrequency heating for tissue tightening and electrical muscle stimulation for toning—into a single integrated device. This combined approach could offer a more comprehensive and efficient treatment for facial aesthetics. It targets a significant market for non-invasive cosmetic improvements, aiming to address both skin and muscle concerns simultaneously.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover devices that only use radiofrequency energy without also applying electric current for muscle contraction.
Patent monitoring