Method and system for treating cellulite

• US 8,133,180 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G., Makin, Inder Raj S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Unsu
• Application Number:
  US11/163,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20060074313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,350 Days
• Field of Search: 600437-447, 601 2- 3, 606 9- 10, 606/13
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/429 characterised by determining or monitoring the contact between the transducer and the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• 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: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8906 Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8936 using transducers mounted for mechanical movement in three dimensions

Abstract

A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. The invention delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, whereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. The invention can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.

Claims

1. A method for cellulite treatment, the method comprising:

determining a region of interest having cellulite on an extracorporeal surface of a subject;

imaging said region of interest below said extracorporeal surface;

identifying a plurality of fat lobuli in said region of interest;

delivering targeted ablative ultrasound energy to said plurality of fat lobuli;

ablating a portion of said plurality of fat lobuli;

ablating at least one of a dermis layer, and a muscle layer; and

smoothing said extracorporeal surface.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising moving said targeted ablative ultrasound energy.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising ablating a second plurality of fat lobuli in said region of interest.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising imaging said region of interest after said ablating said portion of said plurality of fat lobuli.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising coagulating a portion of said fat lobuli.