Hand Wand for Ultrasonic Cosmetic Treatment and Imaging

• US 20110112405A1
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Original Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Inventors: Makin, Inder Raj S., Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,537,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2019/0033 Processes for treating the scalp
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2044/007 Devices for determining the condition of hair or skin or for selecting the appropriate cosmetic or hair treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/207 Vibration, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4272 involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/429 characterised by determining or monitoring the contact between the transducer and the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4438 Means for identifying the diagnostic device, e.g. barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 : characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/468 : allowing annotation or message recording
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/469 : for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 : Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 : Skin treatment
• 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: G10K 11/352 : by moving the transducer

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a dermatological cosmetic treatment and imaging system and method. In some embodiments, the system (20) includes a hand wand (100) with at least one finger activated controller (150, 160), and a removable transducer module (200) having an ultrasound transducer (280). In some embodiments, the system (20) can include a control module (300) that is coupled to the hand wand (100) and has a graphical user interface (310) for controlling the removable transducer module (200), and an interface (130) coupling the hand wand (100) to the control module (300). The interface (130) may provide power to the hand wand or may transfer a signal from the hand wand to the control module. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system (20) may be used in cosmetic procedures on at least a portion of a face, head, neck, and/or other part of a patient.

Claims

1. A hand wand for use in cosmetic treatment, the wand comprising:

a first controlling device operably controlling an ultrasonic imaging function for providing ultrasonic imaging;

a second controlling device operably controlling an ultrasonic treatment function for providing ultrasonic treatment;

a movement mechanism configured to direct ultrasonic treatment in a linear sequence of individual thermal lesions; and

at least a first and a second removable transducer module,

wherein said first and second transducer modules are configured for both ultrasonic imaging and ultrasonic treatment,

wherein said first and second transducer modules are configured for interchangeable coupling to the hand wand,

wherein said first transducer module is configured to apply ultrasonic therapy to a first layer of tissue,

wherein said second transducer module is configured to apply ultrasonic therapy to a second layer of tissue, wherein the second layer of tissue is at a different depth than the first layer of tissue, and

wherein said first and second transducer modules are configured to be operably coupled to at least one of said first controlling device, said second controlling device and said movement mechanism.

2. The hand wand of claim 1, further comprising a third transducer module configured to apply ultrasonic therapy to a third layer of tissue, wherein the third layer of tissue is at a different depth than the first or second layers of tissue.

3. The hand wand according to claim 1, wherein said first and second transducer modules are configured to provide variable depth treatment and said movement mechanism is configured to provide variable treatment along a single depth level.

4. The hand wand of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first controlling device and the second controlling device is activated by a control module, wherein the control module comprises a processor and a graphical user interface for controlling said first and second transducer modules.

5. The hand wand of claim 1, wherein the linear sequence of individual thermal lesions has a treatment spacing in a range from about 0.01 mm to about 25 mm.

6. The hand wand of claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism is configured to be programmed to provide one of the group consisting of variable spacing between said individual thermal lesions and control of a spatial parameter of said individual thermal lesions.

7. The hand wand of claim 1, wherein the individual thermal lesions are discrete.

9. The hand wand of claim 1, wherein the

a movement mechanism is configured for travel through a liquid-tight seal.

8. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. A wand for use in cosmetic treatment, the wand comprising:

a first controlling device operably controlling an imaging function;

a second controlling device operably controlling a treatment function;

a status indicator;

an input for power;

an output for at least one signal;

a movement mechanism; and

a removable transducer module operably coupled to at least one of said first controlling device, said second controlling device and said movement mechanism.

13. The wand according to claim 12, further comprising a latch mechanism removably holding said transducer module in said wand.

14. The wand according to claim 12, further comprising a cable for communicating at least one of said input and said output.

15. The wand according to claim 14, further comprising a controller operably interfacing with said cable, said controller having a graphical user interface for controlling said removable transducer module.

16. The wand according to claim 12, wherein said transducer module has a first transducer coupled to said first controlling device and a second transducer coupled to said second controlling device.

17. A hand wand device for cosmetic treatment, the device comprising:

a removable transducer module interfaced to a hand enclosure having at least one controller button such that said transducer module and said at least one controller button is operable using one hand, said transducer module providing ultrasound energy for a treatment function; and

a controller coupled to said hand enclosure and interfaced to said transducer module, said controller controlling said ultrasound energy and receiving at least one signal from said transducer module, said controller having a power supply operably providing power for at least the ultrasound energy.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the controller further includes a graphical user interface for controlling said transducer module and for viewing said at least one signal from said transducer module.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein said hand enclosure further includes a movement mechanism operably moving a transducer in said transducer module, said movement mechanism being controlled by said controller.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein said at least one controller button includes a first controller button controlling said imaging function and a second controlling button controlling said treatment function.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein said treatment function is at least one of face lift, a brow lift, an eye treatment, an eye lid treatment, a chin lift, a wrinkle reduction, a skin tightening, a scar reduction, a tattoo removal, a vein removal, sun spot removal, and acne treatment.

22-31. -31. (canceled)