METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING THERMAL BUBBLES FOR IMPROVED ULTRASOUND IMAGING AND THERAPY
First Claim
1. A method of providing non-invasive ultrasound treatment, the method comprising:
- coupling an acoustic source to a surface of skin;
providing a first acoustic energy into a region of interest below the surface;
creating thermal bubbles in a first portion of the region of interest;
providing a second acoustic energy into a second portion of the region of interest; and
stimulating a bio-effect in the second portion of the region of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system uniquely capable of generating thermal bubbles for improved ultrasound imaging and therapy. Several embodiments of the method and system contemplates the use of unfocused, focused, or defocused acoustic energy at variable spatial and/or temporal energy settings, in the range of about 1 kHz-100 MHz, and at variable tissue depths. The unique ability to customize acoustic energy output and target a particular region of interest makes possible highly accurate and precise thermal bubble formation. In an embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy. In other embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other energy forms, such radio frequency electric currents (including monopolar and bipolar radio-frequency current). In an embodiment, the energy is various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling.
245 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing non-invasive ultrasound treatment, the method comprising:
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coupling an acoustic source to a surface of skin; providing a first acoustic energy into a region of interest below the surface; creating thermal bubbles in a first portion of the region of interest; providing a second acoustic energy into a second portion of the region of interest; and stimulating a bio-effect in the second portion of the region of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. The method according to claim 11, further comprising tightening a portion of the surface of the skin.
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12. A method of cosmetic enhancement, the method comprising;
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coupling at least one source to a region of interest; directing a first energy into the region of interest; creating a plurality of thermal bubbles in at least one of the region of interest and a non-target region; directing a second energy into the region of interest; and enhancing at least a portion of the region of interest. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a first energy into a region of interest; creating at least one thermal bubble in the region of interest; providing a second energy into the region of interest; modulating the second energy; and controlling a size of the at least one thermal bubble. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification