Devices and methodologies useful in body aesthetics

• US 7,331,951 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ultrashape Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ultrashape Inc.
• Inventors: Sverdlik, Ariel, Eshel, Yoram, Vitsnudel, Ilia, Kushculey, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur; Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lamprecht; Joel
• Application Number:
  US10/520,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,065 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4, 600/139, 600/439, 607/100, 606/2.5, 606/27, 606/32, 606/53, 128/897, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/2.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2065 Tracking using image or pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/19 Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid salicylic acid A61K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/375 Ascorbic acid, i.e. vitamin C; Salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/70 Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof sorbitol A61K31/047
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• 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: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 : Antivirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/00 : Barrier preparations; Preparations brought into direct contact with the skin for affording protection against external influences, e.g. sunlight, X-rays or other harmful rays, corrosive materials, bacteria or insect stings
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/06 : for countering cellulitis
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/10 : Washing or bathing preparations

Abstract

A methodology and system for lysis or induction of apoptosis in cellulite and fat including directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within the region, which target volumes contain cellulite and fat, thereby to selectively lyse or induce apoptosis in the cellulite and fat in the target volumes and generally not lyse or not induce apoptosis in non-cellulite and non-fat tissue in the target volumes and computerized tracking of the multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of the body.

Claims

1. A method for lysing cellulite comprising the steps of:

directing focused ultrasonic energy at a target volume in a region of a body containing both cellulite and non-cellulite tissue; and

modulating said focused ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said cellulite in said target volume and generally not lyse non-cellulite tissue in said target volume which receives said ultrasonic energy.

2. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and wherein said directing focused ultrasonic energy generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

3. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and also comprising:

ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with said directing focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

4. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

5. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and wherein said directing comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.

6. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 5 and wherein said varying the focus comprises changing the volume of said target volume.

7. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 5 and wherein said varying the focus comprises changing the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.

8. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupled to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.

9. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 1 and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.

10. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said directing takes place from an ultrasonic transducer located outside of the body.

11. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said directing takes place to a target volume bounded by dermis and fascia.

12. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.

13. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.

14. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.

15. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

2 and 1;

50.

16. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

5 and 1;

30.

17. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:

10 and 1;

20.

18. A method for lysing cellulite comprising the steps of:

generating, at a source outside a body, ultrasonic energy which selectively generally lyses cellulite and generally does not lyse non-cellulite tissue; and

directing said ultrasonic energy, from said source outside said body, at a target volume in a region of said body containing both cellulite and non-cellulite tissue.

19. A method for lysing cellulite according to claim 18 and wherein said directing said ultrasonic energy generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.

20. A method for lysing cellulite comprising the steps of

defining a region in a body at least partially by detecting spatial indications on said body;

directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes containing both cellulite and non-cellulite tissue within said region, thereby to selectively lyse said cellulite in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-cellulite tissue in said target volumes which receives said ultrasonic energy.