Ultrasound probe for treatment of skin
First Claim
1. An ultrasound treatment probe for treating skin tissue, the probe comprising:
- a single, focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to provide a single mechanical focus configured to provide ultrasound therapy energy in a form of a single thermal focus in a tissue below a skin surface,wherein the single thermal focus is formed without electronic focusing and without a lens,wherein the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to the skin surface,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound therapy energy to heat the tissue below the skin surface to a temperature of greater than 60 degrees Celsius,wherein the tissue comprises at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of;
a dermis tissue, a subcutaneous fat tissue, and a fascia tissue,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound therapy energy at the temperature sufficient to denature at least a portion of the tissue in a region of interest,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element delivers the ultrasound therapy energy at a frequency of between 2 MHz to 25 MHz,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of thermal lesions for treating the tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for treating skin, such as stretch marks through deep tissue tightening with ultrasound are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a therapeutic ultrasound system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a shallow tissue region, such as a region comprising an epidermis, a dermis or a deep dermis. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a therapeutic ultrasound system can be configured to achieve depth with a conformal selective deposition of ultrasound energy without damaging an intervening tissue. In addition, a therapeutic ultrasound can also be configured in combination with ultrasound imaging or imaging/monitoring capabilities, either separately configured with imaging, therapy and monitoring systems or any level of integration thereof.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ultrasound treatment probe for treating skin tissue, the probe comprising:
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a single, focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to provide a single mechanical focus configured to provide ultrasound therapy energy in a form of a single thermal focus in a tissue below a skin surface, wherein the single thermal focus is formed without electronic focusing and without a lens, wherein the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to the skin surface, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound therapy energy to heat the tissue below the skin surface to a temperature of greater than 60 degrees Celsius, wherein the tissue comprises at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of;
a dermis tissue, a subcutaneous fat tissue, and a fascia tissue,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound therapy energy at the temperature sufficient to denature at least a portion of the tissue in a region of interest, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element delivers the ultrasound therapy energy at a frequency of between 2 MHz to 25 MHz, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of thermal lesions for treating the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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4. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a storage system comprising probe identification and probe usage history,
wherein the probe is disposable, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to be connected to a control system, wherein the single thermal focus is one of the group consisting of: - a spherical focus and a line focus,
wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is housed within the housing.
- a spherical focus and a line focus,
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5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the probe is disposable,
wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound therapy energy at a depth below the skin surface, wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface, wherein the skin surface comprises a scar. -
6. The probe of claim 1,
further comprising a piezoelectric ultrasound imaging element co-housed with the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element in the housing, further comprising an EEPROM to store and record probe identification and usage history, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound therapy energy at a depth below the skin surface, wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface. -
7. The probe of claim 1,
further comprising a motion mechanism, wherein the motion mechanism is configured for connection to an encoder, wherein the motion mechanism is configured for movement of the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of thermal lesions at a depth in the region of interest, wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface. -
8. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a motion mechanism configured for any one of the group consisting of linear, rotational, and variable movement of the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the motion mechanism is configured for connection to an encoder.
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9. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a motion mechanism configured for operation with an encoder for monitoring a position of the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound therapy energy at a depth below the skin surface, wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface.
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10. An ultrasound treatment probe for treating tissue, the probe comprising:
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a single, focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element comprises a mechanical focus configured to provide a single thermal focus in a tissue below a skin surface, wherein the mechanical focus is formed without a lens, wherein the therapy component is configured for acoustic coupling to the skin surface, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound therapy energy to heat the tissue below the skin surface to a temperature of greater than 60 degrees Celsius, wherein the tissue comprises at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of;
a dermis tissue, a subcutaneous fat tissue, and a fascia tissue,wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of thermal lesions at the depth for treating the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An ultrasound treatment probe for treating skin tissue, the probe comprising:
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a housing configured for acoustic coupling to a skin surface, wherein the housing comprises a single piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the single piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of energy at a temperature sufficient to treat at least a portion of a tissue, wherein the tissue comprises at least one of the group consisting of;
a dermis tissue and a fascia tissue;wherein the single piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to provide a single thermal lesion in the tissue, wherein the single thermal lesion is formed without a lens, wherein the single piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of the thermal lesions in the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification