Method and system for ultrasound treatment of fat
First Claim
1. A method to treat fat, comprising:
- identifying a plurality of fat lobuli in a region of interest;
positioning an ultrasound probe system on a skin surface, the ultrasound probe system comprising an ultrasound therapy element, an ultrasound imaging element and a motion mechanism;
wherein the motion mechanism is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe;
targeting a region of interest under the skin surface with the ultrasound imaging element, the region of interest comprising a tissue comprising the plurality of fat lobuli and a portion of at least one of an epidermis, a dermis, and a muscle;
using the ultrasound therapy element to treat the region of interest by delivering ultrasound energy to the plurality of fat lobuli;
wherein the ultrasound therapy element is coupled to the motion mechanism within the probe;
wherein the delivery of ultrasound energy is configured to form a thermal lesion with at least a temperature sufficient to ablate the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle; and
activating the motion mechanism to move the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of the thermal lesions to facilitate the ablation of the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. An embodiment delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, thereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. An embodiment 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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method to treat fat, comprising:
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identifying a plurality of fat lobuli in a region of interest; positioning an ultrasound probe system on a skin surface, the ultrasound probe system comprising an ultrasound therapy element, an ultrasound imaging element and a motion mechanism; wherein the motion mechanism is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe; targeting a region of interest under the skin surface with the ultrasound imaging element, the region of interest comprising a tissue comprising the plurality of fat lobuli and a portion of at least one of an epidermis, a dermis, and a muscle; using the ultrasound therapy element to treat the region of interest by delivering ultrasound energy to the plurality of fat lobuli; wherein the ultrasound therapy element is coupled to the motion mechanism within the probe; wherein the delivery of ultrasound energy is configured to form a thermal lesion with at least a temperature sufficient to ablate the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle; and activating the motion mechanism to move the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of the thermal lesions to facilitate the ablation of the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to treat fat, comprising:
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identifying a plurality of fat lobuli in a region of interest; using an ultrasound device to emit ultrasound energy from a therapy element housed within an ultrasound probe to the region of interest at a depth under a skin surface, the region of interest comprising the plurality of fat lobuli and a portion of at least one of an epidermis, a dermis, and a muscle, wherein emitting ultrasound energy ablates the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle under the skin surface; and moving a motion mechanism operably connected to the therapy element within the ultrasound probe for controllably creating a plurality of thermal lesions to ablate the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle at the depth under the skin surface, wherein the motion mechanism comprises at least one of the group consisting of an encoder and a position device; wherein the motion mechanism is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for non-invasive fat therapy, comprising:
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identifying a plurality of fat lobuli in a treatment region; imaging the treatment region comprising the plurality of fat lobuli and a portion of at least one of an epidermis, a dermis, and a muscle; focusing therapeutic ultrasound energy from a transducer to form a thermal lesion in the plurality of fat lobuli, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound energy ablates the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle, wherein the transducer is housed within an ultrasound probe; and moving a motion driver operably connected to the transducer within the ultrasound probe for controllably creating a plurality of thermal lesions to ablate the plurality of fat lobuli and at least one of the dermis and the muscle at the treatment region, wherein the motion driver is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe, wherein the control system controls at least one of a spatial parameter and a temporal parameter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification