Multi-Focus Ultrasound Transducer for Faster Cosmetic Tissue Coagulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic procedures often require invasive surgery and risky anesthetic procedures, leading to prolonged recovery times and risks for patients.

Innovation Solution

Non-invasive ultrasound therapy systems that split a beam into multiple focal zones using amplitude modulation, phase shifting, and nonlinear acoustics to create precise cosmetic treatment zones, allowing for treatments such as face lifts, wrinkle reductions, and other aesthetic enhancements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive surgery is used for cosmetic procedures, then effective cosmetic results are achieved, but recovery time is prolonged and risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic treatment effectivenessVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surgical intervention with ultrasound energy-based treatment. The ultrasound system uses acoustic waves to create thermal coagulation points in tissue, achieving cosmetic effects (such as skin tightening and lifting) without physical incisions or mechanical trauma, thereby eliminating recovery time associated with invasive surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If invasive surgery is used for cosmetic procedures, then effective cosmetic results are achieved, but anesthetic risks are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic treatment effectivenessVSAvoidanesthetic risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasound-based cosmetic treatment system replaces surgical procedures that require anesthesia with a non-invasive energy-based approach. The system delivers focused ultrasound energy to create thermal effects in target tissue, achieving cosmetic improvement without the need for anesthetic agents and their associated risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a single focal point is used for ultrasound therapy, then treatment precision is maintained, but treatment efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoidtreatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ultrasound beam into multiple focal zones using amplitude modulation and phase shifting techniques. Instead of treating one focal point at a time, the system simultaneously or sequentially activates multiple focal points within the treatment area, thereby maintaining precision at each point while significantly improving overall treatment efficiency and reducing total treatment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If multiple focal zones are used for ultrasound therapy, then treatment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic control of ultrasound parameters including amplitude modulation and phase shifting to create and manipulate multiple focal zones. The focal points can be dynamically adjusted in position, number, and intensity based on treatment requirements, allowing the system to adapt to different treatment scenarios without requiring physically complex hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves visible and effective cosmetic results without surgery, reducing recovery time and eliminating the need for anesthetics, by thermally heating tissue to cause coagulation at multiple focal points.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasound transducer configured to apply ultrasonic therapy to tissue at a plurality of locations at a focal depth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic Vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

thermally heating tissue to cause coagulation at multiple focal points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

splitting an ultrasound therapy beam to two, three, four, or more focal zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic Focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 4

using amplitude modulation, phase shifting, and nonlinear acoustics to create precise cosmetic treatment zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase Modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 5

thermally heating tissue to cause coagulation at multiple focal points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS12478807B2Devices and methods for multi-focus ultrasound therapy

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 ULTHERA INC

AI summary

Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and imaging system and method can include use of transducer to simultaneously or substantially simultaneously produce multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue. The system can include a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, and/or graphical user interface. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system may be used 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.