Energy-based tissue tightening system

Abstract

Systems and methods for noninvasive tissue tightening are disclosed. Thermal treatment of tissues such as superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue, muscle, adipose tissue, dermal tissue, and combinations thereof are described. In one aspect, a system is configured for treating tissue through delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, temperature, and energy level to achieve a desired cosmetic effect.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An ultrasound treatment system for noninvasive tissue tightening, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe,   wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a housing,   wherein the housing contains an ultrasound therapy element and a motion mechanism,   wherein a portion of the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to a skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of energy at a temperature sufficient to cause shrinkage of a plurality of collagen fibers in a region of interest comprising a tissue, wherein the tissue comprises a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue and at least one of a muscle tissue, an adipose tissue, and a dermis tissue at a depth under the skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is connected to the motion mechanism,   wherein the motion mechanism moves the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of thermal foci at the depth for tightening the tissue.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a display, wherein the display is configured to display an image of the region of interest; and   an ultrasound imaging element,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is connected to the display and the control system,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is configured for imaging the region of interest under the skin surface.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a control system, wherein the control system comprises:
 a microprocessor;   software;   a power supply;   a communication device; and   a motion mechanism control;   wherein the motion mechanism is connected to the control system.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising an input device and a multiplexer to control a plurality of transduction elements. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control system comprises a spatial control and a temporal control, the spatial control and the temporal control controlling the delivery of energy at a temperature sufficient to cause shrinkage of a plurality of collagen fibers in the SMAS tissue at a depth under the skin surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a user control switch to activate the ultrasound therapy element. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the therapy element is a single element that delivers ultrasound energy at a frequency of between 4 MHz to 15 MHz,   wherein the temperature sufficient to cause tightening of the tissue is 60° C. to 90° C.,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the energy within a range of 3 mm to 9 mm below the skin surface,   wherein the tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.   
     
     
         9 . An ultrasound treatment system for noninvasive tissue tightening, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe comprising a housing,
 wherein the housing contains an ultrasound imaging element, an ultrasound therapy element, and a motion mechanism, 
 wherein a portion of the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to a skin surface, 
   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is configured for imaging a region of interest under the skin surface,   wherein the region of interest comprises a tissue, wherein the tissue comprises a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue and at least one of a muscle tissue, an adipose tissue, and a dermis tissue,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of energy at a temperature sufficient to cause shrinkage of a plurality of collagen fibers in the tissue at a depth under the skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is connected to a portion of the motion mechanism,   wherein the motion mechanism moves the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of thermal foci at the depth for tightening the tissue.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising
 a control system; and   a display,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is in communication with the control system,   wherein the motion mechanism is in communication with the control system,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is in communication with the display,   wherein the display is configured to display an image of the region of interest.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound imaging element and the ultrasound therapy element are in a combined transducer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound imaging element is separate from, and co-housed with, the ultrasound therapy element in the probe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the therapy element is a single element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion mechanism is a linear motion mechanism for linear movement of the ultrasound therapy element to form the plurality of thermal foci along a line at the depth in the region of interest. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion mechanism is configured for any one of the group consisting of linear, rotational, and variable movement of the ultrasound therapy element. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion mechanism comprises an encoder for monitoring a position of the ultrasound therapy element on the motion mechanism in the housing of the probe,
 wherein the therapy element is a single element that delivers ultrasound energy at a frequency of between 4 MHz to 15 MHz,   wherein the temperature sufficient to cause tightening of the tissue is 60° C. to 90° C.,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the energy within a range of 3 mm to 9 mm below the skin surface,   wherein the tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.   
     
     
         17 . An ultrasound treatment system for noninvasive tissue tightening, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe;   wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a housing,   wherein the housing contains an ultrasound therapy element, and a motion mechanism,   wherein a portion of the housing is configured for acoustic coupling to a skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured for delivery of energy at a temperature sufficient to cause shrinkage of a plurality of collagen fibers in a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue and at least one of a muscle tissue, an adipose tissue, and a dermis tissue at a depth under the skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is connected to a portion of the motion mechanism,   wherein the motion mechanism moves the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of thermal foci at the depth for tightening the tissue.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the housing further comprises an ultrasound imaging element,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is configured for imaging a region of interest under the skin surface, wherein the region of interest comprises a tissue, wherein the tissue comprises the SMAS tissue,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is configured to image with an imaging frequency of between 2 MHz to 75 MHz, and   wherein the tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured to deliver the energy within a range of 3 mm to 9 mm below the skin surface,
 wherein the tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a control system,
 wherein the ultrasound therapy element is in communication with the control system,   wherein the motion mechanism is in communication with the control system,   wherein the control system comprises:   a microprocessor;   software;   a power supply; and   a motion mechanism control,   wherein the ultrasound probe is connected to the control system via a cable,   wherein the lifting of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured to heat the tissue to 60° C. to 90° C.,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is a single element that delivers ultrasound energy at a frequency of between 4 MHz to 15 MHz,   wherein the tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.