METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE TREATMENT OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE USING ULTRASOUND ENERGY
First Claim
1. A method for treating dermatological conditions, comprising:
- focusing ultrasound energy into a particular volume of tissue below a dermis portion thereof such that a first portion of the particular volume is thermally damaged by the ultrasound energy and a second portion of the particular volume remains thermally undamaged by the ultrasound energy.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for dermatological treatment by focusing ultrasound energy in a volume of tissue below the dermis to obtain selective heating and thermal damage of certain portions of the volume while sparing other portions of the treatment volume from thermal damage. Selective heating of fibrous septae can be achieved while relatively sparing surrounding fatty tissue, which can lead to some shrinkage of the fibrous septae and reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. The matrix of hair follicles can also be selectively heated to provide relatively safe temporary or permanent hair removal. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system can also be selectively heated to obtain a tightening of the overlying skin.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for treating dermatological conditions, comprising:
focusing ultrasound energy into a particular volume of tissue below a dermis portion thereof such that a first portion of the particular volume is thermally damaged by the ultrasound energy and a second portion of the particular volume remains thermally undamaged by the ultrasound energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for treating dermatological conditions, comprising:
an arrangement configured to focus ultrasound energy into a particular volume of tissue below a dermis portion thereof such that a first portion of the particular volume is thermally damaged by the ultrasound energy and a second portion of the particular volume remains thermally undamaged by the ultrasound energy.
Specification