Non-invasive ultrasonic body contouring

Abstract

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

1 . A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of: 
 directing focused ultrasonic energy at a target volume in a region of a body containing adipose tissue; and    modulating said focused ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volume and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volume.    
     
     
         2 . A method for lysing adipose tissue 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 adipose tissue according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  and also comprising: 
 ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
 
     
     
         4 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims 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 adipose tissue according to any of  claims 1  to  3  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 adipose tissue according to  claim 5  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         7 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 5  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         8 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 1  to  3  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.  
     
     
         9 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 1  to  3  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.  
     
     
         10 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 9  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         11 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 9  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         12 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         13 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said directing takes place from an ultrasonic transducer located outside of the body.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:2 and 1:250.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:5 and 1:30.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:10 and 1:20.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said modulating comprises modulating the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.  
     
     
         25 . A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of: 
 generating, at a source outside a body, ultrasonic energy which selectively generally lyses adipose tissue and generally does not lyse non-adipose tissue; and    directing said ultrasonic energy, from said source outside said body, at a target volume of a body containing adipose tissue.    
     
     
         26 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 25  and wherein said directing ultrasonic energy generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.  
     
     
         27 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 25  or  claim 26  and also comprising: 
 It ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
 
     
     
         28 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  27  and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         29 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  27  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.  
     
     
         30 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 29  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         31 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 29  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         32 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 27  and wherein said directing comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         33 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 27  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.  
     
     
         34 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 31  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         35 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 31  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         36 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  35  and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         37 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  35  and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         38 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  27  and also comprising sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         39 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 25  to  27  and also comprising sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  39  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  39  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  39  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-300 KHz.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  42  and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:2 and 1:250.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  42  and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:5 and 1:30.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to any of  claims 25  to  42  and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy wherein said modulating provides a duty cycle between 1:10 and 1:20.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to any of  claims 43  to  45  and wherein said modulating provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to any of  claims 43  to  45  and wherein said modulating provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to any of  claims 43  to  45  and wherein said modulating provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to any of  claims 43  to  48  and wherein said modulating comprises modulating the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.  
     
     
         50 . A method for lysing adipose tissue 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 within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes.    
     
     
         51 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 50  and wherein said directing includes directing focused ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes in a time sequence.  
     
     
         52 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 50  and wherein said directing includes directing focused ultrasonic energy at plural ones of said multiplicity of target volumes at times which at least partially overlap.  
     
     
         53 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 50  or  claim 51  and wherein at least some of said multiplicity of target volumes at least partially overlap in space.  
     
     
         54 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 50  to  53  and also comprising defining said region by marking at least one surface of said body.  
     
     
         55 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 54  and also comprising defining said region by selecting at least one depth in said body.  
     
     
         56 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 54  and also comprising defining said region by detecting adipose tissue in said body.  
     
     
         57 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 56  and also comprising defining said region by detecting non-lysed adipose tissue.  
     
     
         58 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 57  and wherein said directing also comprises defining said target volumes as unit volumes of non-lysed adipose tissue within said region.  
     
     
         59 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 58  and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said multiplicity of target volumes proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of non-lysed adipose tissue therein.  
     
     
         60 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 56  and wherein said directing also comprises defining said target volumes as unit volumes of adipose tissue within said region.  
     
     
         61 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 60  and also comprising modulating said ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said multiplicity of target volumes proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of adipose tissue therein.  
     
     
         62 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 50  to  61  and also comprising computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.  
     
     
         63 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 62  and wherein said computerized tracking includes sensing changes in the position of markings on said body and employing sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.  
     
     
         64 . A method for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes; and 
 computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.    
     
     
         65 . A method for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 64  and wherein said computerized tracking includes sensing changes in the position of markings on said body and employing sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.  
     
     
         66 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising: 
 a focused ultrasonic energy director, directing focused ultrasonic energy at a target volume in a region of a body containing adipose tissue; and    a modulator, cooperating with said energy director to produce a focused ultrasonic energy so as to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volume and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volume.    
     
     
         67 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 66  and wherein said director generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.  
     
     
         68 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 66  or  claim 67  and also comprising: 
 an ultrasonic imager providing ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
 
     
     
         69 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 66  to  68  and wherein said director comprises a positioner, positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         70 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 66  to  68  and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         71 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 70  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         72 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 70  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         73 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 68  and wherein said director positions at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         74 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 68  and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         75 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 74  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         76 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 74  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         77 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 66  to  76  and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         78 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 66  to  76  and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         79 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 68  and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         80 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 68  and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         81 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  80  and wherein said director comprises an ultrasonic transducer located outside of the body.  
     
     
         82 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  81  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHz.  
     
     
         83 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  81  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.  
     
     
         84 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  81  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.  
     
     
         85 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  84  and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:2 and 1:250.  
     
     
         86 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  84  and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:5 and 1:30.  
     
     
         87 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  84  and wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:10 and 1:20.  
     
     
         88 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  87  and wherein said modulator provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         89 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  87  and wherein said modulator provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         90 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  87  and wherein said modulator provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         91 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 66  to  90  and comprising a modulator wherein said modulator modulates the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.  
     
     
         92 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising: 
 a source outside a body generating ultrasonic energy;    an ultrasonic energy director, which employs said ultrasonic energy to selectively generally lyse adipose tissue and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in a target volume of a body containing adipose tissue.    
     
     
         93 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 92  and wherein said director generally prevents lysis of tissue outside of said target volume.  
     
     
         94 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 92  or  claim 93  and also comprising: 
 an ultrasonic imager, providing ultrasonic imaging of said region at least partially concurrently with directing said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
 
     
     
         95 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 92  to  94  and wherein said director comprises positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         96 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 92  to  94  and wherein said director varies the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         97 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 96  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         98 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 96  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         99 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 94  and wherein said director positions at least one ultrasonic transducer relative to said body in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         100 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 94  and wherein said director comprises varying the focus of at least one ultrasonic transducer in order to direct said focused ultrasonic energy at said target volume.  
     
     
         101 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 98  and wherein varying the focus changes the volume of said target volume.  
     
     
         102 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 98  and wherein varying the focus changes the distance of said target volume from said at least one ultrasonic transducer.  
     
     
         103 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 92  to  102  and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         104 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 92  to  102  and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         105 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 94  and also comprising a sensor, sensing ultrasonic energy coupling to an external surface of said body adjacent said target volume.  
     
     
         106 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 94  and also comprising a sensor, sensing of cavitation at said target volume.  
     
     
         107 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  106  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 50 KHz-1000 KHZ.  
     
     
         108 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  106  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 100 KHz-500 KHz.  
     
     
         109 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  106  and wherein said ultrasonic energy has a frequency in a range of 150 KHz-300 KHz.  
     
     
         110 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  109  and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:2 and 1:250.  
     
     
         111 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  109  and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:5 and 1:30.  
     
     
         112 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 92  to  109  and also comprising a modulator wherein said modulator provides a duty cycle between 1:10 and 1:20.  
     
     
         113 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 110  to  112  and wherein said modulator provides between 2 and 1000 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         114 . Apparatus according to army of  claims 110  to  112  and wherein said modulator provides between 25 and 500 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         115 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 110  to  112  and wherein said modulator provides between 100 and 300 sequential cycles at an amplitude above a cavitation threshold.  
     
     
         116 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 110  to  115  and wherein said modulator comprises modulator the amplitude of said ultrasonic energy over time.  
     
     
         117 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising the steps of: 
 a region definer, defining a region in a body at least partially by detecting spatial indications on said body; and    a director, directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue lo in said target volumes.    
     
     
         118 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 117  and wherein said director directs focused ultrasonic energy at said multiplicity of target volumes in a time sequence.  
     
     
         119 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 117  and wherein said director directs focused ultrasonic energy at plural ones of said multiplicity of target volumes at times which at least partially overlap.  
     
     
         120 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 117  to  119  and wherein at least some of said multiplicity of target volumes at least partially overlap in space.  
     
     
         121 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 117  to  120  and wherein said definer employs marking at least one surface of said body.  
     
     
         122 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 121  and wherein said definer also employs selection of at least one depth in said body.  
     
     
         123 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 121  and wherein said definer detects adipose tissue in said body.  
     
     
         124 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 123  and wherein said definer defines said region at least partially by detecting non-lysed adipose tissue.  
     
     
         125 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 124  and wherein said director also defines said target volumes as unit volumes of non-lysed adipose tissue within said region.  
     
     
         126 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 125  and wherein said director proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in o 0  each target volume takes place only following detection of non-lysed adipose tissue therein.  
     
     
         127 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 123  and wherein said director also defines said target volumes as unit volumes of adipose tissue within said region.  
     
     
         128 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 127  and wherein said director proceeds sequentially in time wherein selective lysis of adipose tissue in each target volume takes place only following detection of adipose tissue therein.  
     
     
         129 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to any of  claims 117  to  128  and also comprising computerized tracking functionality providing computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.  
     
     
         130 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 129  and wherein said computerized tracking functionality is operative to sense changes in the position of markings on said body and to employ sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.  
     
     
         131 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue comprising: 
 a director, directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within said region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse said adipose tissue in said target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in said target volumes; and    computerized tracking functionality providing computerized tracking of said multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of said body.    
     
     
         132 . Apparatus for lysing adipose tissue according to  claim 131  and wherein said computerized tracking functionality is operative to sense changes in the position of markings on said body and to employ sensed changes for tracking the positions of said target volumes in said body.