Ultrasonic treatment of adipose tissue at multiple depths

摘要

Methods and apparatus (100) are described for modifying unwanted tissue for cosmetic reasons. The methods provide a non-invasive manner to perform body contouring by destroying adipose tissue while simultaneously causing collagen contraction in a single procedure. Adipose tissue destroyed during the medical procedure may be removed from a treatment volume during the wound healing process, allowing the treatment volume to gradually shrink (22). The gradual shrinkage may promote better skin tone in the treatment area. The procedure may involve multiple treatments to the same treatment area or location.

主权项

1. A method of modifying adipose tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), the method comprising:
determining a volume of adipose tissue to be treated; identifying a corresponding surface area of skin over said volume of adipose tissue; moving a therapy head including a HIFU therapy transducer on said surface area of skin; and transferring the HIFU from the HIFU therapy transducer through a coupling fluid surrounding the HIFU therapy transducer to apply multiple treatments of therapeutic ultrasound energy into said volume of adipose tissue such that a plurality of necrosed tissue cells and denatured collagen fibrils are produced, the multiple treatments occurring at least at two different depths.