Ultrasound probe for treatment of skin

• US 10,610,706 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2019
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H., Makin, Inder Raj S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, Bo Joseph
• Application Number:
  US16/284,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20190184208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/429 characterised by determining or monitoring the contact between the transducer and the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4444 related to the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5223 for extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data for algorithms to analyse biomedical images G06T7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 Anti-cellulite devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0052 using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0056 Beam shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0073 : using multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 : with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 : Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8909 : using a static transducer configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

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.

Claims

1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:

a focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element selected from the group consisting of;

a spherical focus and a line focus configured with a mechanical focus configured to focus ultrasound energy in a form of a thermal focus in a tissue below a skin surface,

wherein the thermal focus is formed without a lens,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is inside a housing, wherein the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to the skin surface,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound energy to heat the tissue below the skin surface to a temperature of greater than 60 degrees Celsius,

wherein the tissue comprises a fascia tissue and at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of;

an epidermis tissue, a dermis tissue, an adipose tissue, a muscle tissue, a gland, and a blood vessel,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound energy at the temperature sufficient to denature at least a portion of the tissue in a region of interest,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element delivers the ultrasound energy at a frequency between 2 MHz to 25 MHz,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of thermal lesions for treating the tissue.

2. The probe of claim 1,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy at a depth below the skin surface,

wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element comprises at least one of the group consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic, a crystal, a plastic, and a composite material.

3. The probe of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic coupler between the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element and the skin surface,

wherein the acoustic coupler comprises at least one of the group consisting of a fluid, a gel, and a solid.

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 focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to be connected to a control system and a power system,

wherein the thermal focus is the spherical focus,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is housed within the housing.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the probe is disposable,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound 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, and

wherein the tissue is the epidermis or the dermis.

6. The probe of claim 1,

further comprising a piezoelectric ultrasound imaging element co-housed with the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element in the housing,

further comprising an EEPROM to store and record probe identification and usage history,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound 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 focused 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 focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element,

wherein the motion mechanism is configured for connection to an encoder,

wherein the tissue is selected among the group consisting of:

the dermis, the fascia tissue, the gland, and the blood vessel.

9. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a motion mechanism configured for operation with an encoder for monitoring a position of the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element, wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy at a depth below the skin surface, wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface.

10. A treatment probe, comprising:

a focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element selected from the group consisting of;

a spherical focus and a line focus,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element comprises a mechanical focus configured to provide a thermal focus in a tissue at a depth below a skin surface,

wherein the mechanical focus is formed without a lens,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for acoustic coupling to the skin surface,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of ultrasound energy to heat the tissue below the skin surface to a temperature of greater than 60 degrees Celsius,

wherein the tissue comprises a dermis tissue and at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of;

an epidermis tissue, an adipose tissue, a fascia tissue, a muscle tissue, a gland, and a blood vessel tissue,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of thermal lesions at the depth for treating the tissue.

11. The probe of claim 10, the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element delivers the ultrasound energy at a frequency between 2 MHz to 25 MHz, wherein the thermal focus is the spherical focus.

12. The probe of claim 11, further comprising a storage system and an interface configured for connection to a power system and a control system comprising a communication device and a processor, wherein the storage system comprises a probe identification and a probe usage history.

13. The probe of claim 11,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for connection to a control system,

wherein the focused piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element delivers the ultrasound energy at a frequency between 2 MHz to 25 MHz,

wherein the depth is up to 10 mm below the skin surface,

wherein the plurality of thermal lesions tightens the tissue.

14. The probe of claim 10, further comprising a housing containing a piezoelectric ultrasound imaging element, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound imaging element is configured for imaging a region of interest under the skin surface, wherein the region of interest comprises the tissue.

15. A probe, comprising:

a probe housing configured for acoustic coupling to a skin surface,

wherein the probe housing comprises a piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element selected from the group consisting of;

a spherical focus and a line focus,

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of ultrasound energy at a temperature sufficient to treat at least a portion of a tissue, wherein the tissue comprises a dermis tissue and at least one of the group consisting of;

an epidermis tissue, an adipose tissue, a fascia tissue, a muscle tissue, a gland, and a blood vessel;

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to provide a thermal lesion in the tissue,

wherein the thermal lesion is formed without a lens,

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element forms a plurality of the thermal lesions in the tissue.

16. The probe of claim 15, further comprising a piezoelectric imaging element configured for imaging at a frequency range of 2 MHz to 25 MHz,

wherein the piezoelectric imaging element and the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element are co-housed within the probe housing,

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to increase the temperature of the tissue in a region of interest to greater than 60°

C., wherein the probe is disposable.

17. The probe of claim 15, wherein the probe is reusable,

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is a single, piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element that delivers the ultrasound energy at a frequency between 2 MHz to 25 MHz,

wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy at a depth below the skin surface,

wherein the plurality of thermal lesions tightens the tissue.

18. The probe of claim 15, further comprising a storage system for transducer usage history and calibration data, and further comprising an interface configured for connection to a control system, wherein the control system comprises a processor and a communication device, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for connection to the control system.

19. The probe of claim 15, further comprising a motion mechanism configured to operate with an encoder, wherein the ultrasound energy is configured for delivery at an energy level for causing at least one of shrinking collagen and denaturing the tissue in a region of interest.

20. The probe of claim 15, further comprising a storage system for transducer usage history and calibration, wherein the thermal focus is one of the group consisting of:

a spherical focus and a line focus, wherein the piezoelectric ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of the ultrasound energy at a frequency between 2 MHz to 25 MHz.