Methods for face and neck lifts
First Claim
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1. A method of lifting facial tissue, the method comprising:
- positioning a portion of an ultrasound probe system on a facial skin surface, the ultrasound probe system comprising a movement mechanism, a therapy element, and an imaging element,wherein the movement mechanism is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe system;
imaging, with the imaging element, a region of interest under the facial skin surface, the region of interest comprising a tissue comprising at least one of muscle, muscular fascia, fat, and superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue;
wherein the region of interest is displayed on a display system, the display system being electronically connected to the imaging element;
using the therapy element to treat the region of interest;
wherein the therapy element is coupled to the movement mechanism within the ultrasound probe system;
wherein the therapy element is configured for targeted delivery of ultrasound energy to form a thermal lesion with at least a temperature sufficient to treat at least a portion of the tissue at a fixed depth under the facial skin surface; and
activating the movement mechanism within the ultrasound probe system to move the therapy element to form a plurality of the thermal lesions at the fixed depth to treat the tissue in the region of interest,wherein the plurality of thermal lesions results in a face lift.
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Abstract
Methods for treating skin and subcutaneous tissue with energy such as ultrasound energy are disclosed. In various embodiments, ultrasound energy is applied at a region of interest to affect tissue by cutting, ablating, micro-ablating, coagulating, or otherwise affecting the subcutaneous tissue to conduct numerous procedures that are traditionally done invasively in a non-invasive manner. Methods of lifting sagging tissue on a face and/or neck are described.
880 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of lifting facial tissue, the method comprising:
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positioning a portion of an ultrasound probe system on a facial skin surface, the ultrasound probe system comprising a movement mechanism, a therapy element, and an imaging element, wherein the movement mechanism is controlled by a control system in communication with the ultrasound probe system; imaging, with the imaging element, a region of interest under the facial skin surface, the region of interest comprising a tissue comprising at least one of muscle, muscular fascia, fat, and superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue; wherein the region of interest is displayed on a display system, the display system being electronically connected to the imaging element; using the therapy element to treat the region of interest; wherein the therapy element is coupled to the movement mechanism within the ultrasound probe system; wherein the therapy element is configured for targeted delivery of ultrasound energy to form a thermal lesion with at least a temperature sufficient to treat at least a portion of the tissue at a fixed depth under the facial skin surface; and activating the movement mechanism within the ultrasound probe system to move the therapy element to form a plurality of the thermal lesions at the fixed depth to treat the tissue in the region of interest, wherein the plurality of thermal lesions results in a face lift. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of treating sagging skin on a face or neck, comprising:
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providing a probe that emits ultrasound energy; coupling the probe to a skin surface over a region comprising subcutaneous fat, muscle, and connective tissue; and delivering therapeutic ultrasound energy to the region at a treatment frequency of between 4 MHz and 15 MHz, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound energy thermally treats at least one of the group consisting of subcutaneous fat, muscle, and connective tissue at a specific depth under the skin surface to reduce skin sagging on the face or neck. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of lifting sagging skin on a face or neck, comprising:
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identifying a region of sagging skin on a face or neck; providing an ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasound energy; coupling the ultrasonic probe to a skin surface in a region selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following regions;
a preauricular region, a frontal region, and a mandibular region;delivering therapeutic ultrasound energy at a treatment frequency of between 4 MHz and 15 MHz, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound energy treats at least one of the group consisting of subcutaneous fat, muscle, and connective tissue at a specific depth under the skin surface to lift the sagging skin. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification