Methods of using high intensity focused ultrasound to form an ablated tissue area containing a plurality of lesions

Abstract

A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 629,194 filed Jul. 31, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 487,705 filed Jan. 19, 2000, now abandoned, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 487,708 filed Jan. 19, 2000, now abandoned and entitled Methods of Soft Palate Reduction By Thermal Ablation Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, Ser. No. 09 / 487,707 filed Jan. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,254 and entitled Methods of Tongue Reduction By Thermal Ablation Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, Ser. No. 09 / 487,709 filed Jan. 19, 2000, now abandoned and entitled Methods of Tonsil Reduction By Thermal Ablation Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, Ser. No. 09 / 487,706 filed Jan. 19, 2000, now abandoned and entitled Methods of Turbinate Or O...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method of skin rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction by using high intensity focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen growth without damaging the epidermis. The method involves positioning an ultrasound emitting member adjacent the external surface of the skin and emitting ultrasound energy into the tissue of the skin. The ultrasound energy is focused at multiple focusing zones in the skin, resulting in the formation of lesions that stimulate collagen production. The method has advantages such as delivering precise collagen growth without needing to make external wounds, minimizing pain and trauma for the patient, and allowing for the formation of a single or multiple ablated tissue area in the skin.

Problems solved by technology

Thermal effects include heating of the anatomical tissue; and, when the tissue is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, tissue damage such as coagulative necrosis is produced.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is highly vulnerable to deterioration due to natural aging and / or exposure to environmental conditions such as sun, wind, heat and cold.

Cosmetic surgery has numerous drawbacks including invasiveness, trauma, scarring, pain, significant recovery times and high financial cost.

Such non-surgical techniques typically destroy the epidermis, resulting in temporary and possibly permanent impairment of the skin.

For example, patients may be left with various pigmentation problems including blotchiness, a predominantly white complexion and / or the inability to tan.

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