External ultrasound lipoplasty

• US 8,262,591 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nivasonix LLC
• Original Assignee: Nivasonix LLC
• Inventors: Pedersen, Laust G., Purkait, Bobby
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negarestan, Farshad
• Application Number:
  US12/399,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20090227910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/546 involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0039 using microbubbles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/006 Lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0065 Concave transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a non-invasive, safer alternative to current lipoplasty procedures. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-channel system that focuses the low mega Hertz ultrasound at user selectable depths, where fat cells are to be emulsified. The system offers independent user control of the main emulsifying property, cavitation, and thermal heating, which can independently be used for skin tightening. One part of the system is a handheld transducer, in shape similar to a typical small diagnostic ultrasound transducer. The other part of the system includes a transmitter with, for example, internal tracking of procedure time and with a disabling feature.

Claims

1. A method for emulsifying subdermal fat of a patient comprising:

topically applying, a hand-held high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to skin via a liquid or gel, said focused ultrasound transducer comprising a transmitter and a transducer operated in a 0.5 MHz to 20 MHz frequency range, wherein the transducer comprises a transducer aperture and an electronic focus; and

electronically sweeping a focal line of ultrasound energy within a user or manufacturer selected depth range between about 1mm and 30mm.

wherein the transducer aperture and a frequency are configured to not irreversibly affect tissue of the patient beyond the user or manufacturer selected depth range when an acoustic pressure and intensity of the ultrasound is high enough to substantially emulsify a subdermal fat within said selected depth range of the tissue, and

wherein the focal line is one of a curved focal line and a focal line that is not parallel to a relative axis of the transducer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises applying a medical diagnostic ultrasound system for measuring an amount of emulsified and metabolized fat from said subdermal fat.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises applying a tactile measurement system for verification of emulsified fat.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said gel is a skin rejuvenation gel or cream.