Fat layer thickness mapping system to guide liposuction surgery
First Claim
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1. A system for mapping tissue layer thickness, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer for producing ultrasound energy;
means for coupling said ultrasound energy to skin;
means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer;
a control unit for controlling said ultrasound transducer and processing data signals received from said ultrasound transducer;
means for transmitting a signal from said ultrasound transducer to said control unit; and
means for displaying tissue thickness parameters received from said control unit, wherein said control unit comprises software that is adapted to read and analyze data from said ultrasound transducer, wherein said software is adapted to produce a fat thickness map and guide a liposuction procedure.
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Abstract
A device is described that can be easily used by surgeons to measure and monitor changes before, during, and after a liposuction procedure and assist in producing symmetrical body contours. The device comprises a remote control and data processing unit, a handheld ultrasound transducer, a display monitor and means for marking anatomical points to be measured.
168 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for mapping tissue layer thickness, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer for producing ultrasound energy;
means for coupling said ultrasound energy to skin;
means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer;
a control unit for controlling said ultrasound transducer and processing data signals received from said ultrasound transducer;
means for transmitting a signal from said ultrasound transducer to said control unit; and
means for displaying tissue thickness parameters received from said control unit, wherein said control unit comprises software that is adapted to read and analyze data from said ultrasound transducer, wherein said software is adapted to produce a fat thickness map and guide a liposuction procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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12. A system for mapping tissue layer thickness, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer for producing ultrasound energy;
means for coupling said ultrasound energy to skin;
means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer;
a control unit for controlling said ultrasound transducer and processing data signals received from said ultrasound transducer;
means for transmitting a signal from said ultrasound transducer to said control unit; and
means for displaying tissue thickness parameters received from said control unit, wherein said means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer comprises coded stickers for placement on the skin, wherein said system further comprises at least one sensor operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to sense the presence of said coded stickers, wherein said control unit further comprises means for automatically detecting said code. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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25. A system for mapping tissue layer thickness, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer for producing ultrasound energy;
means for coupling said ultrasound energy to skin;
means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer;
a control unit for controlling said ultrasound transducer and processing data signals received from said ultrasound transducer;
means for transmitting a signal from said ultrasound transducer to said control unit; and
means for displaying tissue thickness parameters received from said control unit, wherein said ultrasound transducer is configured to operate at two or more frequencies and wherein the ratio of scattered signal at different frequencies can be used to estimate water-fat content.
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27. A system for mapping tissue layer thickness, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer for producing ultrasound energy;
means for coupling said ultrasound energy to skin;
means for identifying location of said ultrasound transducer;
a control unit for controlling said ultrasound transducer and processing data signals received from said ultrasound transducer;
means for transmitting a signal from said ultrasound transducer to said control unit; and
means for displaying tissue thickness parameters received from said control unit, wherein said control unit comprises software that is adapted to read and analyze data from said ultrasound transducer, wherein said software is adapted to calculate change in fat layer thickness during the course of a liposuction procedure for display by said means for displaying tissue thickness parameters. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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35. A method for producing a tissue layer thickness map for use in guiding a liposuction procedure, comprising:
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(i) contacting an ultrasound transducer to the skin tissue of a human;
(ii) coupling ultrasound waves from said ultrasound transducer into and through said skin tissue;
(iii) detecting reflected ultrasound waves from various tissue layers and interfaces at and beneath said skin tissue to produce a detected ultrasound signal;
(iv) identifying and recording the location of said ultrasound transducer on said skin tissue;
(v) analyzing said detected ultrasound signal to calculate the time lapse between transmission of said ultrasound waves and reflection of said reflected ultrasound waves from various tissue layers and interfaces at and beneath said skin tissue;
(vi) calculating a tissue thickness value from said time lapse;
(vii) repeating steps (i)-(vi) to obtain a plurality of tissue thickness values at a plurality of locations on said skin;
(vii) producing a map of said tissue thickness values; and
(viii) using said map to guide a liposuction procedure. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification