INTRODUCTION
Recent demonstrations of effective fat reduction with
the use of a focused field radiofrequency system
designed for contactless deep tissue thermal energy
application were based on a protocol of 4 treatments of
30 minutes each.1, 2 Results of efficacy in these studies were
based on duplex ultrasound reduction in the subcutaneous fat
layer and circumferential tape measure reduction. This study
incorporates concurrent thermal camera imaging as a means
of both safely extending the length of each treatment session
within skin surface temperature tolerances and to demonstrate
not only the homogeneous nature of skin surface temperature
heating but the distribution of that heating pattern as a reflection
of localization of subcutaneous fat distribution.
The use of thermal imaging to reflect the pattern of subcutaneous
heat energy capture was recently demonstrated by this
author in a different model, one of creating structural tightening
of the skin with subsurface radiofrequency heating.3,4 In
this author’s study, a direct linear relationship was established
between skin surface temperature, as measured by thermal
camera imaging, and subcutaneously measured temperature
elevations, as determined by the placement of a radiofrequency
thermistor probe. In this prior published study, subsurface
thermistor probe placement allowed both subsurface heating
and subcutaneous temperature monitoring, with observed
mean and median subcutaneous temperature of 54.4°C and
55.0°C, respectively, as measured by thermal camera imaging
and skin surface temperature peaks of 43.6°C and 43.8°C,
respectively.
In other words, skin surface temperature monitoring can be
used as an index of subcutaneous heat capture, whether by
direct subsurface thermistor probe as in this author’s prior
publication, or by transcutaneous delivery of energy as in
this current study using contactless focused-field RF energy
as an energy source.3
METHODS
The five subjects for this study were selected because of a
desire to reduce both abdomen and flank fullness. The prior
published protocol treatment sessions of 30 minutes duration
were extended using thermal camera imaging. Taking into ac-
