Systems and methods of unattended treatment
In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, systems and methods for applying treatment energy, e.g., electromagnetic radiation such as laser radiation in the visible and near infrared wavelengths, to body areas having bulges and fat deposits, loose skin, pain, acne and/or wounds. In some aspects, the systems and methods can enable relatively lengthy treatments to be performed by having the practitioner set-up and/or start the treatment, thereafter allowing the treatment to proceed safely and effectively without the continued presence of the practitioner.
1. A method of treating body tissue using a non-invasive body contouring system, comprising:
providing a first frame comprising a first fastening member, the first frame defining a first aperture;
coupling the first frame to a patient's body in a fixed position relative to a tissue treatment region such that a surface of the tissue treatment region extends into the first aperture;
coupling a first applicator to the first frame, using the first fastening member, the first applicator comprising an optical window having a skin-contacting surface;
contacting a portion of the surface of the tissue treatment region extending into the first aperture with the skin-contacting surface of the optical window upon coupling the first applicator to the first frame;
generating treatment energy from a source disposed in a housing of the non-invasive body contouring system;
delivering the treatment energy to the first applicator via an umbilical extending from the housing to the first applicator; and
transmitting the treatment energy delivered to the first applicator through the first aperture.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising
providing a second frame comprising a second fastening member, the second frame defining a second aperture;
coupling the second frame to the patient's body; and
coupling a second applicator to the second frame using the second fastening member.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first frame and the second frame are linked by a hinge disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein coupling the first frame and the second frame to the patient's body further comprises adjusting orientation of the first aperture and the second aperture relative to each other.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one arm extending from the housing for supporting the umbilical cord, the method further comprising disposing the arm above the patient's body when performing treatment.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the arm comprises at least one brake in contact with the umbilical so as to maintain a desired amount of lead of the umbilical cord between the at least one brake and the applicator associated with the umbilical.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the first frame to the patient's body comprises securing a belt coupled to the first frame around at least a portion of the patient's body.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the treatment region comprises one of submental, jowl, and neck tissue and wherein the belt is secured about the patient's head or neck.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the treatment region comprises abdominal tissue, and wherein the belt is secured about the patient's torso.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the treatment region comprises tissue of the patient's arm or leg, and wherein the belt is secured around the patient's arm or leg, respectively.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the frame to at least one mask configured to occlude a portion of the aperture of the frame so as to prevent a portion of the surface of the patient's body from extending into the first aperture and into contact with the optical window of the first applicator.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mask defines an unmasked portion having an area smaller than the optical window of the first applicator and the first aperture of the first frame associated with the mask, the method further comprising adjusting at least one of the size and shape of the unmasked portion.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin surface extends into the first aperture in response to coupling the first frame to the patient's body.
13. A method of treating body tissue using a non-invasive body contouring system, comprising:
providing a first frame and a second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are connected, the first frame comprising a first fastening member, the first frame defining a first aperture, the second frame comprising a second fastening member, the second frame defining a second aperture;
coupling the connected first frame and second frame to a patient's body in a fixed position such that a first tissue treatment region extends into the first aperture and a second tissue treatment region extends into the second aperture;
coupling a first applicator to the first frame, using the first fastening member;
coupling a second applicator to the second frame, using the second fastening member;
generating treatment energy from a source disposed in a housing of the non-invasive body contouring system;
delivering the treatment energy to the first applicator via a first umbilical extending from the housing to the first applicator; and
delivering the treatment energy to the second applicator via a second umbilical extending from the housing to the second applicator.