Non-invasive ultrasonic body contouring

• US 20040106867A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ultrashape Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ultrashape Inc.
• Inventors: Eshel, Yoram, Vitsnudel, Ilia
• Application Number:
  US10/250,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106867A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/225 for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2065 Tracking using image or pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

A methodology and system for lysing adipose tissue including directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within the region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse the adipose tissue in the target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in the target volumes and computerized tracking of the multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of the body.

Claims

1. A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of:

directing focused ultrasonic energy at a target volume in a region of a body containing adipose tissue; and

modulating said focused ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volume and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volume.

2. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 1 and wherein said directing focused ultrasonic energy generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

3. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 1 or claim 2 and also comprising:

ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

4. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

5. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 1 to 3 and wherein said directing comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

6. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 5 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

7. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 5 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

8. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 1 to 3 and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

9. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 1 to 3 and wherein said directing comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

10. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 9 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

11. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 9 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

12. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

13. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said directing takes place from an ultrasonic transducer located outside of the body.

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.

17. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.

18. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

2 and 1;

250.

19. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

5 and 1;

30.

20. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

10 and 1;

20.

21. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

22. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

23. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

24. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating comprises modulating the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.

25. A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of:

generating, at a source outside a body, ultrasonic energy which selectively generally lyses adipose tissue and generally does not lyse non-adipose tissue; and

directing said ultrasonic energy, from said source outside said body, at a target volume of a body containing adipose tissue.

26. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 25 and wherein said directing ultrasonic energy generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

27. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 25 or claim 26 and also comprising:

It ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

28. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 27 and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

29. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 27 and wherein said directing comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

30. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 29 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

31. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 29 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

32. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 27 and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

33. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 27 and wherein said directing comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

34. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 31 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

35. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 31 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

36. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 35 and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

37. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 35 and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

38. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 27 and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

39. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 25 to 27 and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

40. A method according to any of claims 25 to 39 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.

41. A method according to any of claims 25 to 39 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.

42. A method according to any of claims 25 to 39 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-300 KHz.

43. A method according to any of claims 25 to 42 and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

2 and 1;

250.

44. A method according to any of claims 25 to 42 and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

5 and 1;

30.

45. A method according to any of claims 25 to 42 and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

10 and 1;

20.

46. A method according to any of claims 43 to 45 and wherein said modulating provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

47. A method according to any of claims 43 to 45 and wherein said modulating provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

48. A method according to any of claims 43 to 45 and wherein said modulating provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

49. A method according to any of claims 43 to 48 and wherein said modulating comprises modulating the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.

50. A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of:

defining a region in a body at least partially by detecting spatial indications on said body;

directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes.

51. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 50 and wherein said directing includes directing focused ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes in a time sequence.

52. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 50 and wherein said directing includes directing focused ultrasonic energy at plural ones of said multiplicity of target volumes at times which at least partially overlap.

53. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 50 or claim 51 and wherein at least some of said multiplicity of target volumes at least partially overlap in space.

54. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 50 to 53 and also comprising defining said region by marking at least one surface of said body.

55. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 54 and also comprising defining said region by selecting at least one depth in said body.

56. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 54 and also comprising defining said region by detecting adipose tissue in said body.

57. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 56 and also comprising defining said region by detecting non-lysed adipose tissue.

58. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 57 and wherein said directing also comprises defining said target volumes as unit volumes of non-lysed adipose tissue within said region.

59. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 58 and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said multiplicity of target volumes proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of non-lysed adipose tissue therein.

60. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 56 and wherein said directing also comprises defining said target volumes as unit volumes of adipose tissue within said region.

61. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 60 and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said multiplicity of target volumes proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of adipose tissue therein.

62. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 50 to 61 and also comprising computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.

63. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 62 and wherein said computerized tracking includes sensing changes in the position of markings on said body and employing sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.

64. A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes;

and

computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.

65. A method for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 64 and wherein said computerized tracking includes sensing changes in the position of markings on said body and employing sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.

66. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising:

a focused ultrasonic energy director, directing focused ultrasonic energy at a target volume in a region of a body containing adipose tissue; and

a modulator, cooperating with said energy director to produce a focused ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volume and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volume.

67. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 66 and wherein said director generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

68. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 66 or claim 67 and also comprising:

an ultrasonic imager providing ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

69. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 66 to 68 and wherein said director comprises a positioner, positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

70. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 66 to 68 and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

71. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 70 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

72. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 70 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

73. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 68 and wherein said director positions at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

74. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 68 and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

75. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 74 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

76. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 74 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

77. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 66 to 76 and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

78. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 66 to 76 and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

79. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 68 and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

80. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 68 and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

81. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 80 and wherein said director comprises an ultrasonic transducer located outside of the body.

82. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 81 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.

83. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 81 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.

84. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 81 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.

85. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 84 and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

2 and 1;

250.

86. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 84 and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

5 and 1;

30.

87. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 84 and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

10 and 1;

20.

88. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 87 and wherein said modulator provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

89. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 87 and wherein said modulator provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

90. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 87 and wherein said modulator provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

91. Apparatus according to any of claims 66 to 90 and comprising a modulator wherein said modulator modulates the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.

92. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising:

a source outside a body generating ultrasonic energy;

an ultrasonic energy director, which employs said ultrasonic energy to selectively generally lyse adipose tissue and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in a target volume of a body containing adipose tissue.

93. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 92 and wherein said director generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

94. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 92 or claim 93 and also comprising:

an ultrasonic imager, providing ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

95. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 92 to 94 and wherein said director comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

96. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 92 to 94 and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

97. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 96 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

98. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 96 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

99. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 94 and wherein said director positions at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

100. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 94 and wherein said director comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

101. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 98 and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.

102. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 98 and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

103. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 92 to 102 and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

104. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 92 to 102 and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

105. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 94 and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

106. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 94 and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

107. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 106 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHZ.

108. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 106 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.

109. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 106 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.

110. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 109 and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

2 and 1;

250.

111. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 109 and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

5 and 1;

30.

112. Apparatus according to any of claims 92 to 109 and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:

10 and 1;

20.

113. Apparatus according to any of claims 110 to 112 and wherein said modulator provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

114. Apparatus according to army of claims 110 to 112 and wherein said modulator provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

115. Apparatus according to any of claims 110 to 112 and wherein said modulator provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.

116. Apparatus according to any of claims 110 to 115 and wherein said modulator comprises modulator the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.

117. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of:

a region definer, defining a region in a body at least partially by detecting spatial indications on said body; and

a director, directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue lo in said target volumes.

118. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 117 and wherein said director directs focused ultrasonic energy at said multiplicity of target volumes in a time sequence.

119. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 117 and wherein said director directs focused ultrasonic energy at plural ones of said multiplicity of target volumes at times which at least partially overlap.

120. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 117 to 119 and wherein at least some of said multiplicity of target volumes at least partially overlap in space.

121. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 117 to 120 and wherein said definer employs marking at least one surface of said body.

122. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 121 and wherein said definer also employs selection of at least one depth in said body.

123. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 121 and wherein said definer detects adipose tissue in said body.

124. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 123 and wherein said definer defines said region at least partially by detecting non-lysed adipose tissue.

125. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 124 and wherein said director also defines said target volumes as unit volumes of non-lysed adipose tissue within said region.

126. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 125 and wherein said director proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in o0 each target volume takes place only following detection of non-lysed adipose tissue therein.

127. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 123 and wherein said director also defines said target volumes as unit volumes of adipose tissue within said region.

128. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 127 and wherein said director proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of adipose tissue therein.

129. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of claims 117 to 128 and also comprising computerized tracking functionality providing computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.

130. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 129 and wherein said computerized tracking functionality is operative to sense changes in the position of markings on said body and to employ sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.

131. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising:

a director, directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes; and

computerized tracking functionality providing computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.

132. Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to claim 131 and wherein said computerized tracking functionality is operative to sense changes in the position of markings on said body and to employ sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.