Methods for preheating tissue for cosmetic treatment of the face and body

• US 9,095,697 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2013
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H., Makin, Inder Raj S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hupczey, Jr., Ronald
• Application Number:
  US13/965,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20130345562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 606/411, 606/437, 606/439, 606/445, 606/459
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4444 related to the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0052 using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0082 Scanning 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

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. Pretreatment with heat is provided in several embodiments.

Claims

1. A method of non-invasive skin rejuvenation, comprising:

providing a probe that delivers ultrasound energy;

wherein the probe is configured for placement on a skin surface over a region comprising a connective tissue;

delivering energy to the region for a pretreatment heating effect; and

delivering focused therapeutic ultrasound energy to the region with the probe,

wherein the focused therapeutic ultrasound energy thermally treats the connective tissue at a depth under the skin surface to rejuvenate skin.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the focused therapeutic ultrasound energy comprises delivering ultrasound energy from a single therapy element in the probe.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising imaging the tissue under the skin surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the depth is up to 9 mm under the skin surface.

5. A method of rejuvenating skin, comprising:

providing an ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasound energy;

wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured for placement on a skin surface over a region comprising a subcutaneous connective tissue;

wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured for delivering diffuse ultrasound energy to the region for a heating effect; and

wherein, after the delivery of the diffuse ultrasound energy, the ultrasonic probe is configured for delivering focused therapeutic ultrasound energy to the region,

wherein the focused therapeutic ultrasound energy treats the subcutaneous connective tissue at a depth under the skin surface to rejuvenate the skin.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic probe further comprises an imaging element to image the region.