Regenerative Aspects of Energy Based Devices

Goals/Purpose: Regenerative medicine is usually thought of as being focused on biologicals such as stem cells, PRP, or exosomes. However, some energy based devices can be used for biostimulation and regeneration of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in skin. Neocollagensesis and angiogenesis of the adipose stroma can be produced using thermal energy, notably radiofrequency. Muscle hypertrophy and an increase in myosatellite cells can be used for reversing age or injury related sarcopenia. Combination techniques incorporating biologicals and EBDs can produce excellent clinical results with little to no down time.

Methods/Technique: A combination of transcutaneous RF and targeted ultrasound was used in an animal study n=12. HAS-1 and HAS-2 were stimulated, and the degree of increase in intradermal HA was measured by PCR, and MALDI-TOF. Serial SEM was used to evaluate neocollagenesis and angiogenesis of adipose stroma at 1 and 3 month post treatment with subdermal RF. Muscle enhancement with combined HIFEM and synchronous RF was evaluated with immunofluorescence at 1 and three months following 4 weekly treatments.

Results/Complications: Biostimulation of all soft tissue layers can greatly enhance clinical outcomes. Device regeneration of skin can be achieved with a transcutaneous device that generates a 71% increase in HA as measured by PCR, and by 224% as measured with MALDI-TOF. SEM analysis shows regeneration of a three dimensional structural support scaffold becoming strongly evident three months after a single treatment. Targeted muscle improvement of a 30.2% increase in myosatellite cells was found following four treatments of HIFEM plus synchronized RF. Increase of muscle thickness was measured at 25.8 % at 3 months post-treatment.

Conclusion: Biostimulation of all soft tissue layers can greatly enhance clinical outcomes. Device regeneration of skin can be achieved with a transcutaneous device that generates a 71% increase in HA as measured by PCR, and by 224% as measured with MALDI-TOF. SEM analysis shows regeneration of a three dimensional structural support scaffold becoming strongly evident three months after a single treatment. Targeted muscle improvement of a 30.2% increase in myosatellite cells was found following four treatments of HIFEM plus synchronized RF. Increase of muscle thickness was measured at 25.8 % at 3 months post-treatment.