System for noninvasive skin tightening

Abstract

A method and system for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening are disclosed. An exemplary method and treatment system are configured for the imaging, monitoring, and thermal injury to treat the SMAS region. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method and system are configured for treating the SMAS region by first, imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area and surrounding structures, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, timing, and energy level to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, and third to monitor the treatment area before, during, and after therapy to plan and assess the results and/or provide feedback.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An ultrasound treatment system for noninvasive tissue tightening with controlled thermal injury, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe,   a control system comprising a microprocessor, an image processor, and a motion controller; and   a display,   wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a housing,   wherein the housing contains an ultrasound imaging element, an ultrasound therapy element, and a motion mechanism,   wherein the ultrasound imaging element is connected to the display,   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 at least one of the group consisting of a dermis, a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue, and a muscle tissue,   wherein the display is configured to display an image of the region of interest,   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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle tissue at a depth under the skin surface,   wherein the ultrasound therapy element is connected to the motion mechanism,   wherein the motion mechanism is connected to the motion controller,   wherein the motion mechanism moves the ultrasound therapy element along a line to form a plurality of thermal foci with a size and a shape at the depth for tightening the tissue.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control system comprises:
 an input device;   a power supply; and   a communication device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the shape of the thermal foci is any one in the group consisting of a lesion shape, a round shape, a cigar shape, a raindrop shape, and an ellipsoidal shape. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a user control switch to activate the ultrasound therapy element. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . An ultrasound treatment system for noninvasive tissue tightening with controlled thermal injury, 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, and 
   a control system in communication a motion controller and the ultrasound therapy 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 at least one of the group consisting of a dermis tissue, a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue, and a muscle 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle 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 is in communication with the motion controller,   wherein the motion mechanism moves the ultrasound therapy element to form a plurality of thermal foci at the depth for tightening the tissue.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a user control switch to activate the ultrasound imaging element. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an acoustic coupler between the ultrasound probe and the skin surface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound imaging element and the ultrasound therapy element are in a combined transducer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound imaging element is separate from, and co-housed with, the ultrasound therapy element in the probe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the therapy element is any one of the group consisting of a spherically focused single element and a cylindrically focused single element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , 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 8 , 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 8 , 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 with controlled thermal injury, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe comprising an ultrasound therapy element and a motion mechanism,   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 at least one of the group consisting of a dermis tissue, a superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue, and a muscle 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle tissue.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the ultrasound probe 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle 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 tightening of tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface,   wherein the control system comprises:   a microprocessor;   a power supply;   a communication device;   a motion mechanism control; and   wherein the ultrasound probe is connected to the control system via a cable.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the ultrasound therapy element is configured to heat the at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle 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 at least one of the group consisting of the dermis tissue, the SMAS tissue, and the muscle tissue leads to any one of a face lift, a treatment of laxity, and a treatment of sagging in the skin surface.