GEL DISPENSERS FOR TREATMENT OF SKIN WITH ACOUSTIC ENERGY
First Claim
1. An ultrasound apparatus comprising:
- a handpiece adapted for handheld operation,an acoustic energy generator disposed at least partially in the handpiece; and
a cartridge connected to the handpiece.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing fluid in an apparatus for applying acoustic energy to the skin. Acoustic waveguides are disclosed which compensate for distortions that otherwise occur when a focused acoustic beam crosses a boundary, such as the transition from a treatment device to a target region of skin. The invention is especially useful with devices that focus ultrasound energy by condensing a propagating wavefront. The invention compensates for the mismatch in acoustic properties of the device'"'"'s waveguide and the biological tissue that typically cause portions of the collapsing wavefront to lag behind other portions and, thereby, limit the focusing capabilities of acoustic treatment devices.
169 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An ultrasound apparatus comprising:
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a handpiece adapted for handheld operation, an acoustic energy generator disposed at least partially in the handpiece; and a cartridge connected to the handpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An ultrasound apparatus comprising:
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a handpiece adapted for handheld operation, an acoustic energy emitter disposed at least partially in the handpiece; and a fluid dispenser connected to the handpiece. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of dispensing fluid from an ultrasound device comprising the steps of:
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dispensing a fluid proximal to a skin contacting surface of an ultrasound device, sensing a parameter related to the amount of fluid proximal to the skin contacting surface of the ultrasound device; and dispensing additional fluid proximal to the skin contacting surface of the ultrasound device if the amount of fluid is determined to be low. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification