| abstract |
The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenous tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a non-invasive manner by directing energy to a patient's own support tissues. This energy gently heats fascia, and other collagenous support tissues, causing them to contract. The energy will preferably be applied between a pair of large plate electrodes (12, 14) having cooled flat electrode surfaces separated by an insulating rib (39a) or film (39b). Such cooled plate electrodes are capable of directing electrical energy through an intermediate tissue, and into fascia while the cooled electrode surface prevents injury to the intermediate tissue. |