APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ADIPOSE TISSUE

1 . A method of reducing adipose tissue volume in a patient using high intensity focused ultrasound, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a volume of adipose tissue to be treated;

identifying a corresponding surface area of skin over said volume of adipose tissue;

applying high intensity focused ultrasound energy to said area in a manner sufficient to cause the destruction of adipose tissue and denaturing of collagen, the ultrasound energy measured as a energy flux (EF) being of at least 35 J/cm 2 wherein EF is determined by the formula:

[(p)×(l/v)×(dc)×(nl)]/(sa)

wherein

p=power,

l=line length,

v=velocity,

dc=duty cycle,

nl=number of lines,

and

sa=scanned area.

2 . The method as described in claim 1 , wherein the energy flux is in the range from 35 J/cm 2 and 460 J/cm 2 .

3 . The method as described in claim 1 , wherein the energy flux is in the range from 90 J/cm 2 and 225 J/cm 2 .

4 . The method as described in claim 1 , wherein the energy flux is above 109 J/cm 2 .

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying of high intensity focused ultrasound energy produces any variety and number of discrete lesions in the tissue.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the applied high intensity focused ultrasound energy creates lesions separated in both distance and time.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is applied for at least one second and the EF value is sufficient to raise the temperature in tissue to substantially 56° C.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a therapy controller is programmed to control the application of high intensity ultrasound to produce the desired EF value.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the therapy controller is programmed to deliver a desired EF value in two or more applications of ultrasound into a single volume of tissue.

10 . An apparatus for the delivery of therapeutic ultrasound energy into a patient, said apparatus having a scan head having at least one ultrasound transducer, wherein the transducer is adapted to move at a velocity v along a line having a length t, and a therapy controller for controlling energy delivered from said ultrasound transducer wherein said therapy controller is programmable for variables to deliver an energy flux (EF) greater than 35 J/cm 2 , wherein EF is determined by the formula:

[(p)×(l/v)×(dc)×(nl)]/(sa)

wherein

p=power,

l=line length,

v=velocity,

dc=duty cycle,

nl=number of lines,

and

sa=scanned area.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a suspension device for supporting the scan head.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux between 35 J/cm 2 and 460 J/cm 2

13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux between 90 J/cm 2 and 225 Joules/cm 2 .

14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus delivers an energy flux greater than 109 J/cm 2 .

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the therapy controller is programmed to produce a plurality of lesion fields in a patient.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the lesions fields are at least partially overlapping.

17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the lesions fields are positioned to treat a volume of tissue.

18 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the EF value is sufficient to raise the temperature in tissue to substantially 56° C. when the energy is applied for at least one second.

19 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the therapy controller is programmed to produce a therapeutic effect that destroys adipose tissue and denatures collagen simultaneously.

20 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the therapy controller is programmed to deliver a desired EF value in two or more applications of ultrasound into a single volume of tissue.