APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ADIPOSE TISSUE

• US 20110066084A1
• Filed: 11/24/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Medicis Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Desilets, Charles S., Pollock, Cameron
• Application Number:
  US12/954,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20110066084A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for modifying unwanted tissue for cosmetic reasons. The methods provide a non-invasive manner to perform body contouring by destroying adipose tissue while simultaneously causing collagen contraction in a single procedure so that as destroyed tissue is removed from a treatment volume, the volume shrinks gradually to maintain the skin tone of the treatment area.

Claims

1. A method of reducing adipose tissue volume in a patient using high intensity focused ultrasound, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a volume of adipose tissue to be treated;

identifying a corresponding surface area of skin over said volume of adipose tissue;

applying high intensity focused ultrasound energy to said area in a manner sufficient to cause the destruction of adipose tissue and denaturing of collagen, the ultrasound energy measured as a energy flux (EF) being of at least 35 J/cm² wherein EF is determined by the formula;

[(p)×

(l/v)×

(dc)×

(nl)]/(sa)

wherein

p=power,

l=line length,

v=velocity,

dc=duty cycle,

nl=number of lines,

and

sa=scanned area.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the energy flux is in the range from 35 J/cm² and 460 J/cm².

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the energy flux is in the range from 90 J/cm² and 225 J/cm².

4. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the energy flux is above 109 J/cm².

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying of high intensity focused ultrasound energy produces any variety and number of discrete lesions in the tissue.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the applied high intensity focused ultrasound energy creates lesions separated in both distance and time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy is applied for at least one second and the EF value is sufficient to raise the temperature in tissue to substantially 56°

C.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a therapy controller is programmed to control the application of high intensity ultrasound to produce the desired EF value.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the therapy controller is programmed to deliver a desired EF value in two or more applications of ultrasound into a single volume of tissue.

10. An apparatus for the delivery of therapeutic ultrasound energy into a patient, said apparatus having a scan head having at least one ultrasound transducer, wherein the transducer is adapted to move at a velocity v along a line having a length t, and a therapy controller for controlling energy delivered from said ultrasound transducer wherein said therapy controller is programmable for variables to deliver an energy flux (EF) greater than 35 J/cm², wherein EF is determined by the formula:

[(p)×

(l/v)×

(dc)×

(nl)]/(sa)

wherein

p=power,

l=line length,

v=velocity,

dc=duty cycle,

nl=number of lines,

and

sa=scanned area.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a suspension device for supporting the scan head.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux between 35 J/cm² and 460 J/cm²

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux between 90 J/cm² and 225 Joules/cm².

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux greater than 109 J/cm².

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the therapy controller is programmed to produce a plurality of lesion fields in a patient.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the lesions fields are at least partially overlapping.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the lesions fields are positioned to treat a volume of tissue.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the EF value is sufficient to raise the temperature in tissue to substantially 56°

C. when the energy is applied for at least one second.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the therapy controller is programmed to produce a therapeutic effect that destroys adipose tissue and denatures collagen simultaneously.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the therapy controller is programmed to deliver a desired EF value in two or more applications of ultrasound into a single volume of tissue.