Methods and apparatus for coupling a HIFU transducer to a skin surface

• US 8,920,320 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solta Medical, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Darlington, Gregory Paul, Holman, Howard, Quistgaard, Jens U., Stecco, Kathryn Ann, Johnson, Jody Lloyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Tse
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gupta, Vani
• Application Number:
  US11/373,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20070238994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,217 Days
• Field of Search: 600437-449, 601/2, 601/3
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for coupling a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to a skin surface using water as a coupling agent.

Claims

1. A method for delivering high intensity focused ultrasound energy to a skin surface, the method comprising:

applying a thin film of fluid consisting of water having less than 1% impurities by weight on the skin surface so the skin surface is at least lightly moistened;

placing a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer on to the moistened skin surface;

pressing the ultrasound transducer against the skin surface so that said film of water is distributed between the skin surface and the transducer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the film of fluid contains a surfactant.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the film of fluid contains an anti-microbial agent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the film of fluid is applied by spraying under conditions such that beading up and rolling of the water is inhibited.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the skin surface prior to applying the film of fluid on the skin surface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising repositioning the high intensity focused ultrasound transducer on the skin surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the film of fluid comprises spraying the volume of fluid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises:

applying the film of fluid on to a small skin surface; and

spreading the film of fluid over a larger skin surface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the film of fluid is applied at least 0.01 ml/cm2 of skin surface.