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Method and system for treatment of sweat glandsRelated Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical ApplicationMethod and system for treatment of sweat glands description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060111744, Method and system for treatment of sweat glands. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/61 7,752, entitled "Method and System for Treatment of Sweat Glands", and filed on Oct. 6, 2004. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention generally relates to a therapeutic ultrasound method and system, and more particularly, to a method and system for ultrasound treatment for superficial tissue containing sweat glands. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] The sweat glands in the body are of divided into apocrine and eccrine glands. Apocrine glands are similar to sebaceous glands, and are present mainly in the axillae. These glands, like sebaceous glands, secrete an oily proteinaceous product into the follicles. Bacterial digestion of apocrine sweat is largely responsible for underarm "body odor". Similarly, eccrine sweat glands are present deep in the dermis in the palms, soles and armpits and are responsible for temperature regulation resulting from sweating. Excessive activity of these glands also results in copious amounts of abnormal sweating ("hyperhidrosis"), primarily under autonomic neuronal control. Reduction of sweating from under the armpits and other regions is a particularly desirable effect within the modern society. Presently, chemical antiperspirants and deodorants are used frequently as a matter of personal hygiene. Antiperspirants are aluminum based salts that block the sweat gland ducts. The deodorant changes the pH of the skin milieu thereby minimizing the presence of (smell inducing) bacteria. The effects with both these components however, are temporary and these chemicals are known to irritate the skin in a good percentage of users. [0004] Further, there is currently a significant unmet need in managing the excessive sweating and concomitant issues with odor as a result of Hydradenitis suppurativa (irritable infected armpit). This acne-like process in apocine follicles also causes hydradenitis suppurativa, which is often a devastating condition in which very painful cysts and scarring occurs repeatedly in the axillae. The etiology (causes) of this clinical condition is not well understood. However, there are a number of marginally effective approaches to manage this condition. Retinoid drug therapy works marginally but is associated with severe toxicity. Some prescription formulations of antiperspirants can be used, but they are not particularly effective. These preparations can be applied with the addition of an iontophoretic device. This technique however, is not known to be any more effective than the formulation. The sweat glands can be surgically removed from the armpits and/or the sympathetic nerve supply can be interrupted surgically. This approach is fraught with its own drawbacks in terms of morbidity, scarring and cost. BOTOX.RTM. is being used ever more for paralyzing the nerve connections that induce excessive sweating in the armpits. However, this is a new approach yet to be completely validated. This technique requires multiple injections (painful) and the results last a few months only (3-4 months), hence need to be repeated. This technique does not get rid of the odor associated with the condition. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention describes a non-invasive method and system for using therapeutic ultrasound energy for the treatment of conditions resulting from sweat gland disorders. An ultrasound system and method comprises a transducer probe and control system configured to deliver ultrasound energy to the regions of the superficial tissue (e.g., skin) such that the energy can be deposited at the particular depth at which the aberrant sweat gland population is located below the skin surface. [0006] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the ultrasound transducer can be driven at a number of different frequency regimes such that the depth and shape of energy concentration can match the region of treatment. In addition, the ultrasound source or beam radiated from the transducer can be highly focused, weakly focused, or divergent, each in a cylindrical or spherical geometric configuration, and/or can also be planar to radiate a directive beam through the tissue, or various other configurations. Further, the ultrasound field can be varied spatially and temporally in a suitable manner to achieve the optimal tissue effect and/or type of conformal lesion for treating the sweat glands. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which like parts may be referred to by like numerals: [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an ultrasound therapy system for treating sweat glands in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2A-2E illustrates schematic diagrams of ultrasound treatment systems configured to treat the sweat glands via direct targeting of heating and damage within the treatment layer in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate block diagrams of an exemplary control system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of an exemplary probe system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of an exemplary transducer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross-sectional diagrams of an exemplary transducer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary transducer configurations for ultrasound treatment in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0015] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate cross-sectional diagrams of an exemplary transducer in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary transducer configured as a two-dimensional array for ultrasound treatment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate cross-sectional diagrams of exemplary transducers in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of an acoustic coupling and cooling system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an ultrasound treatment system combined with additional subsystems and methods of treatment monitoring and/or treatment imaging as well as a secondary treatment subsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Continue reading about Method and system for treatment of sweat glands... 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