Non-invasive skin contouring device to delaminate skin layers using tissue resonance

• US 20060241531A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Westhaver, William H. Gruber
• Original Assignee: Paul Westhaver, William H. Gruber
• Inventors: Gruber, William H., Westhaver, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,985,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 Anti-cellulite devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• 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 2007/0073 using multiple frequencies
• 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 system and method for treating cellulite tissue and related conditions comprising apparatus configured to transmit shear and other vibration modes beneath a patient'"'"'s skin sufficient to break down connective tissue so that pocketing and dimpling of adjacent skin is ameliorated.

Claims

1. A system for mechanically breaking down subcutaneous tissue comprising:

a) A vibration source;

b) a transducer capable of transmitting vibration from the vibration source to a patient'"'"'s skin;

c) a means for coupling the transducer mechanically to the patient'"'"'s skin; and

d) a control system, whereby the mode, frequency, and energy of the vibration can be varied.

2. A method of treating target dimpled and pocketed skin and adjacent tissue comprising:

a) removably attaching a vibration transducer to a patient'"'"'s skin;

b) coupling the transducer to a source of vibration having a variable frequency, variable vibration modes, and variable input energy; and

c) controlling the variable frequency, the vibration mode, and the input energy so as to produce a condition of resonance in the target skin and adjacent tissue;

d) whereby sufficient stress of the adjacent tissue is achieved to bring about mechanical yield or failure of the connective tissue surrounding tissue causing the dimpled and pocketed skin.