An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

Methods and systems for treating skin, such as stretch marks 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 shallow tissue region, such as a region comprising an epidermis, a dermis or a deep dermis. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a therapeutic ultrasound system can be configured to achieve depth with a conformal selective deposition of ultrasound energy without damaging an intervening tissue. 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.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for tissue engagement. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw that each includes a body portion and an ear located adjacent to the body portion. The body portion is configured to receive an acoustic stack and the ear includes a slot configured to receive a first pin. The first and second jaws include an opening located between the body portion and the ear. The opening is configured to receive a second pin such that the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to rotate about the second pin.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The high intensity focused ultrasound device can include a transducer for producing high intensity focused ultrasound. The transducer includes a shell configured to receive an acoustic stack. The acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and a plurality of electrodes. The transducer includes an air-filled pocket formed between the inner surface of the shell and the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack, wherein the air-filled pocket is configured to ensure high efficiency of the transducer.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.

An ultrasonic device for transversely manipulating drug delivery carriers includes a driving unit and a transducer. The transducer is electrically connected to the driving unit and has a piezoelectric sheet in a curved shape. The piezoelectric sheet includes a plurality of channels, and a phase difference is generated between every two of the channels by the driving unit for producing an acoustic vortex.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The high intensity focused ultrasound device can include a transducer for producing high intensity focused ultrasound. The transducer includes a shell configured to receive an acoustic stack. The acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and a plurality of electrodes. The transducer includes an air-filled pocket formed between the inner surface of the shell and the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack, wherein the air-filled pocket is configured to ensure high efficiency of the transducer.

A device for shock wave production to treat a patient's body comprises a base with a condenser as power supply, an applicator having a pad, at least one piezo-element configured to generate a shock wave in response to a pulse of electric current having a pulse width, an acoustic lens configured to focus the shock wave, and a coil configured to increase the pulse width of the pulse of electric current.

Disclosed are devices suitable for treatment of subcutaneous tissue by transdermally-inducing ultrasonic vibrations in subcutaneous tissue and/or transdermally delivering energy with electromagnetic radiation such as light to subcutaneous tissue. In some embodiments, the treatment of subcutaneous tissue is effective in reducing the amount of subcutaneous fat therein. In some embodiments, transdermal radiation-delivery of energy and transdermal induction of ultrasonic vibrations in subcutaneous tissue can be performed simultaneously, alternatingly or in an unrelated fashion. In some embodiments, the device simultaneously transdermally-induces both ultrasonic transverse and ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations in subcutaneous tissue.