METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NONINVASIVE FACE LIFTS AND DEEP TISSUE TIGHTENING

• US 20060122508A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Makin, Inder Raj S., Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G., O'Connor, Brian D.
• Application Number:
  US11/163,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6842 by marking the skin
• 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 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 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 8/546 involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• 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 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• 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
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening are disclosed. An exemplary method and treatment system are configured for the imaging, monitoring, and thermal injury to treat the SMAS region. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method and system are configured for treating the SMAS region by first, imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area and surrounding structures, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, timing, and energy level to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, and third to monitor the treatment area before, during, and after therapy to plan and assess the results and/or provide feedback.

Claims

1. An ultrasound treatment system configured for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening, said ultrasound treatment system comprising:

a control system for facilitating control of the ultrasound treatment system;

a display system for displaying an image of a SMAS layer within a region of interest, said display system coupled to said control system; and

a probe system configured for targeted delivery of ultrasound energy into said SMAS layer for destruction of tissue and to cause shrinkage of said SMAS layer.

2. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said control system is configured for localization of said SMAS layer through imaging prior to energy delivery, for controlling targeted delivery of energy through said probe system to said SMAS layer, and monitoring of said SMAS layer.

3. The ultrasound treatment system of claim 2, wherein said control system comprises an imaging system configured for monitoring of said SMAS layer prior to, during and after delivery of ultrasound energy into said SMAS layer.

4. The ultrasound treatment system of claim 3, wherein said imaging system is configured to eliminate the damaging of deep tissue structures proximal said SMAS layer.

5. The ultrasound treatment system of claim 3, wherein said imaging system is configured to generate three-dimensional imaging information.

6. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said display system comprises a display of images corresponding to said SMAS layer.

7. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said probe system comprises an imaging and therapy transducer configured for targeted delivery of ablative ultrasound within said SMAS layer.

8. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 7, wherein said imaging and therapy transducer comprise a combined transducer within a single transduction element.

9. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 7, wherein said imaging and therapy transducer comprises an array of electronic apertures configured for electronic phase delays to achieve one of focused, defocused and planar ultrasound energy distribution.

10. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 8, wherein said treatment system comprises an imaging, therapy, and treatment monitoring system combined with auxiliary imaging and treatment monitoring apparatus and secondary therapy systems.

11. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 10, wherein said auxiliary imaging apparatus comprises at least one of a photographic device and an optical modality.

12. The ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said probe system is configured for targeted delivery of ultrasound energy into at least one of skin, dermis, muscular facia, and adipose in addition to said SMAS layer for destruction of tissue and to cause shrinkage of said SMAS layer.

13. A method for providing noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening, said method comprising:

localizing of a SMAS-like muscular fascia layer within a region of interest;

targeting of delivery of ablative ultrasound energy to said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer; and

monitoring of results of said targeted delivery within said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer during and after said targeted delivery to continue planning of treatment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said localizing comprises imaging a region of interest to delineate said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer.

15. The method of claim 14, said localizing of said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer comprises moving facial muscles below such SMAS-like muscular fascia layer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said targeting of delivery comprises adjustment of spatial and temporal parameters based on imaging of said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer location.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said monitoring of results comprises detecting of shrinkage of said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer as visualized during after said target delivery of ablative ultrasound.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said targeting of delivery of ablative ultrasound energy to said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer further comprises targeting of delivery of ablative ultrasound into at least one of skin, dermis, muscular facia, and adipose in addition to said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said targeting of delivery of ablative ultrasound energy to said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer comprises targeting of delivery of ablative ultrasound into at least one of platysma, temporal fascia, and/or occipital fascia.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein said targeting of delivery further comprises cooling through any tissue regions between and including skin and said SMAS-like muscular fascia layer to facilitate treatment.