Band transducer ultrasound therapy

Abstract

Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and/or imaging system and method can include use of transducer to create a linear thermal treatment zone at a focal depth to form a band shaped treatment area. The system can include one or more ultrasound transducers, a cylindrical transduction element, an imaging element, a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, and/or graphical user interface. In some embodiments, a coated transducer may be used to provide more consistent treatment in cosmetic procedures, including brow lifts, fat reduction, sweat reduction, and treatment of the décolletage. Skin tightening, lifting and amelioration of wrinkles and stretch marks are provided. Treatment may include heating of tissue for a duration to deactivate a percentage of cells in the treatment region.

1 . An ultrasound transduction system, comprising:
 a cylindrical transduction element; and   a power source configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element is configured to apply ultrasonic energy to a linear focal zone at a focal depth,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element comprises a first surface and a second surface,   wherein the first surface comprises an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the second surface comprises at least one electrically conductive coated region and at least one region that is not coated with an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface comprises a conductive material that forms an electrode when the power source is in electric communication with the at least one coated region,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface is configured to reduce edge noise at the linear focal zone at the focal depth,   wherein the reduction of edge noise reduces a variance in focal gain in a range of 0.01-10.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a concave surface and the second surface is a convex surface. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical transduction element is housed within an ultrasonic hand-held probe, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises:
 a housing,   the cylindrical transduction element, and   a motion mechanism;   wherein the ultrasound transducer is movable within the housing,   wherein the motion mechanism is attached to the ultrasound transducer and configured to move the ultrasound transducer along a linear path within the housing.   
     
     
         6 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 5 , wherein the motion mechanism automatically moves the cylindrical transduction element to heat a treatment area at the focal depth to a temperature in a range between 40-65 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduction of edge noise facilitates the production of a uniform temperature in a treatment area. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power source is configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element to produce a temperature in a range of 42-55 degrees Celsius in a tissue at the focal depth. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more imaging elements, wherein the cylindrical transduction element has an opening configured for placement of the one or more imaging elements. 
     
     
         15 .- 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . An ultrasound transduction system, comprising:
 a cylindrical transduction element; and   a power source configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element is configured to apply ultrasonic energy to a linear focal zone at a focal depth,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element comprises a first surface and a second surface,   wherein the first surface comprises an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the second surface comprises at least one electrically conductive coated region and at least one region that is not coated with an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface comprises a conductive material that forms an electrode when the power source is in electric communication with the at least one coated region,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface is configured to reduce edge noise at the linear focal zone at the focal depth,   wherein the reduction of edge noise reduces a peak such that a variance of an intensity around the focal depth is 5 mm or less.   
     
     
         52 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 51 , wherein the first surface is a concave surface and the second surface is a convex surface. 
     
     
         53 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 51 , wherein the cylindrical transduction element is housed within an ultrasonic hand-held probe, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises:
 a housing,   the cylindrical transduction element, and   a motion mechanism;   wherein the ultrasound transducer is movable within the housing,   wherein the motion mechanism is attached to the ultrasound transducer and configured to move the ultrasound transducer along a linear path within the housing.   
     
     
         54 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 53 , wherein the motion mechanism automatically moves the cylindrical transduction element to heat a treatment area at the focal depth to a temperature in a range between 40-65 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         55 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 51 , wherein the reduction of edge noise facilitates the production of a uniform temperature in a treatment area. 
     
     
         56 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 51 , wherein the power source is configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element to produce a temperature in a range of 42-55 degrees Celsius in a tissue at the focal depth. 
     
     
         57 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 51 , further comprising one or more imaging elements, wherein the cylindrical transduction element has an opening configured for placement of the one or more imaging elements. 
     
     
         58 . An ultrasound transduction system, comprising:
 a cylindrical transduction element; and   a power source configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element is configured to apply ultrasonic energy to a linear focal zone at a focal depth,   wherein the cylindrical transduction element comprises a first surface and a second surface,   wherein the first surface comprises an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the second surface comprises at least one electrically conductive coated region and at least one region that is not coated with an electrically conductive coating,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface comprises a conductive material that forms an electrode when the power source is in electric communication with the at least one coated region,   wherein the at least one coated region on the second surface is configured to reduce edge noise at the linear focal zone at the focal depth,   wherein the reduction of edge noise reduces a peak such that a variance around the focal depth is reduced by 75-200%.   
     
     
         59 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 58 , wherein the first surface is a concave surface and the second surface is a convex surface. 
     
     
         60 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 58 , wherein the cylindrical transduction element is housed within an ultrasonic hand-held probe, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises:
 a housing,   the cylindrical transduction element, and   a motion mechanism;   wherein the ultrasound transducer is movable within the housing,   wherein the motion mechanism is attached to the ultrasound transducer and configured to move the ultrasound transducer along a linear path within the housing.   
     
     
         61 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 60 , wherein the motion mechanism automatically moves the cylindrical transduction element to heat a treatment area at the focal depth to a temperature in a range between 40-65 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         62 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 58 , wherein the reduction of edge noise facilitates the production of a uniform temperature in a treatment area. 
     
     
         63 . The ultrasound transduction system according to  claim 58 , wherein the power source is configured to drive the cylindrical transduction element to produce a temperature in a range of 42-55 degrees Celsius in a tissue at the focal depth.