Method and system for noninvasive mastopexy

Abstract

Methods and systems for noninvasive mastopexy through deep tissue tightening with ultrasound are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a therapeutic ultrasound system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue region, such as a region comprising muscular fascia and ligaments. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a therapeutic ultrasound system can be configured to achieve depth from 1 mm to 4 cm with a conformal selective deposition of ultrasound energy without damaging an intervening tissue in the range of frequencies from 1 to 15 MHz. In addition, a therapeutic ultrasound can also be configured in combination with ultrasound imaging or imaging/monitoring capabilities, either separately configured with imaging, therapy and monitoring systems or any level of integration thereof.

1 . An ultrasound system configured for noninvasive mastopexy comprising:
 a control system configured for control of said ultrasound treatment system;   an imaging system coupled to said control system, said imaging system configured for imaging of a region of interest, said region of interest comprising of a Cooper's ligament;   an ultrasound probe configured for generating a conformal lesion within said region of interest to facilitate mastopexy, said control system and said probe being configured to operate in a frequency range of about 1 MHz to about 15 MHz.   
   
   
       2 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1 , wherein said ultrasound probe is further configured for spatial and temporal control to generate said conformal lesion. 
   
   
       3 . The ultrasound system of  claim 4 , wherein said spatial control comprises selection of one or more spatial parameters comprising transducer configuration, distance, placement, orientation, and movement. 
   
   
       4 . The ultrasound system of  claim 4 , wherein said temporal control comprises selection of one or more temporal parameters comprising drive amplitude levels, frequency/waveforms, and timing sequences. 
   
   
       5 . The ultrasound system according to  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises:
 power source components configured to provide energy to said control system and said ultrasound probe;   sensing and monitoring components configured for monitoring spatial and temporal parameters;   cooling and coupling controls configured to remove waste heat from said ultrasound probe to facilitate temperature control at superficial human tissue interface and deeper into tissue; and   processing and control logic components for overall control of said ultrasound treatment system.   
   
   
       6 . The ultrasound system according to  claim 1 , wherein said ultrasound probe comprises:
 a control interface for interfacing with said control system;   a transducer configured for providing ablative ultrasound energy to said region of interest;   coupling components for acoustically coupling said transducer to said region of interest;   monitoring and sensing components for facilitating control by said control system; and   a motion mechanism comprising one of manual and automated movement of said ultrasound probe.   
   
   
       7 . The ultrasound system according to  claim 1 , wherein said ultrasound probe comprises a transducer, said transducer comprising at least one of a curvilinear array, an annular array, a linear array, and a planar array. 
   
   
       8 . The ultrasound system according to  claim 1 , wherein said ultrasound probe comprises an array and at least two focused transduction elements, wherein said array is at least one of a linear array, a planar array, and an annular array. 
   
   
       9 . The ultrasound treatment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said treatment system comprises at least two of an imaging system, a therapy system, and a treatment monitoring system, wherein said at least two systems are combined with an auxiliary imaging and treatment monitoring apparatus and a secondary therapy system. 
   
   
       10 . The ultrasound treatment system according to  claim 9 , wherein said auxiliary imaging apparatus comprises at least one of a photographic device and an optical modality. 
   
   
       11 . The ultrasound treatment system according to  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises an imaging system configured for facilitating at least one of one-dimensional imaging, one-dimensional treatment, two-dimensional imaging, two-dimensional treatment, three-dimensional imaging, and three-dimensional treatment. 
   
   
       12 . An ultrasound system configured for noninvasive mastopexy comprising:
 a control system configured for control of said ultrasound treatment system;   an imaging system coupled to said control system, said imaging system configured for imaging of a deep tissue region comprising at least one of muscular fascia, a ligament, and a Cooper's ligament; and   an ultrasound probe configured for generating a conformal lesion within said region of interest to facilitate mastopexy, said control system and said ultrasound probe being configured for spatial and temporal control to generate said conformal lesion.   
   
   
       13 . The ultrasound system of  claim 12 , wherein said ultrasound probe and said control system are configured to operate in a frequency range of about 1 MHz to about 15 MHz. 
   
   
       14 . The ultrasound system of  claim 12 , wherein said spatial control comprises selection of at least one spatial parameter comprising transducer configuration, distance, placement, orientation, and movement. 
   
   
       15 . The ultrasound system of  claim 12 , wherein said temporal control comprises selection of at least one temporal parameter comprising a drive amplitude level, a frequency/waveform, and a timing sequence. 
   
   
       16 . The ultrasound system of  claim 12 , wherein said ultrasound probe is to provide at least two energy effects to said region of interest; wherein said at least two energy effects are configured to facilitate a response in said region of interest, and wherein said at least two energy effects include at least two of thermal, cavitational, hydrodynamic, and resonance induced tissue effects and wherein said response includes at least one of hemostasis, subsequent revascularization/angiogenesis, growth of interconnective tissue, tissue reformation, ablation of existing tissue, enhanced delivery and activation of medicants, stimulation of protein synthesis and increased cell permeability. 
   
   
       17 . A method for providing noninvasive mastopexy, said method comprising:
 delivering ultrasound energy from a transducer probe to a region of interest of a breast comprising a ligament;   ablating said ligament in said region of interest with said ultrasound energy; and   monitoring said region of interest.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising imaging said region of interest of a breast comprising said ligament. 
   
   
       19 . A method for providing noninvasive ultrasound mastopexy treatment, the method comprising:
 targeting at least a portion of a treatment area in a breast and below a skin surface, said treatment area comprising a muscle and a ligament connected to a portion of breast tissue;   delivering ultrasound energy to said at least a portion of said treatment area at specified depth below said skin surface;   coagulating at least one of said muscle and said ligament with said ultrasound energy.   
   
   
       20 . A method for providing noninvasive mastopexy, said method comprising:
 imaging a region of interest of a breast comprising a ligament;   delivering ultrasound energy from a transducer probe to said region of interest of a breast comprising said ligament;   ablating said ligament in said region of interest with said ultrasound energy; and   tightening a portion of said region of interest.