Methods and Systems for Generating Thermal Bubbles for Improved Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy

摘要

A method and system uniquely capable of generating thermal bubbles for improved ultrasound imaging and therapy. Several embodiments of the method and system contemplates the use of unfocused, focused, or defocused acoustic energy at variable spatial and/or temporal energy settings, in the range of about 1 kHz-100 MHz, and at variable tissue depths. The unique ability to customize acoustic energy output and target a particular region of interest makes possible highly accurate and precise thermal bubble formation. In an embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy. In other embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other forms, such radio frequency electric currents (including monopolar and bipolar radio-frequency current). In an embodiment, the energy is various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling.

主权项

1. A method of providing non-invasive ultrasound treatment of tissue, the method comprising:
coupling an acoustic source to a region of interest comprising a surface and subcutaneous tissue; providing a first acoustic energy into the subcutaneous tissue of the region of interest; creating thermal bubbles in an outer portion of the region of interest; forming a boundary comprising the thermal bubbles in the outer portion of the region of interest, thereby surrounding an inner portion of the region of interest with the boundary; providing a second acoustic energy into the inner portion of the region of interest; and containing the second acoustic energy within the boundary; and protecting tissue outside of the inner portion from the second acoustic energy.