U.S. patent application number 12/199462 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for user interface.
Invention is credited to James Bartholomeusz, Baruch Levin, Avner Rosenberg.
Application Number | 20100017750 12/199462 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41530910 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100017750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosenberg; Avner ; et
al. |
January 21, 2010 |
USER INTERFACE
Abstract
A user interface for operating an applicator for medical and
aesthetic treatment using RF and ultrasound energies, with or
without vacuum, comprising: a display, a plurality of views each
configured to occupy at least a section of the display, the views
adapted to present data responsive to physiological signals,
applicator parameters and treatment parameters, a plurality of
icons configured to occupy a portion of the views and adapted to
designate the content of the views, wherein one of the views
provides parameters setting tools, another of the views presents
treatment progress, and at least one of the icons can be selected
so as to switch the display between the views.
Inventors: |
Rosenberg; Avner; (Bet
Shearim, IL) ; Levin; Baruch; (Afula, IL) ;
Bartholomeusz; James; (Beverly Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH FROHWEIN TEMPEL GREENLEE BLAHA, LLC
Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 700
ATLANTA
GA
30346
US
|
Family ID: |
41530910 |
Appl. No.: |
12/199462 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61081110 |
Jul 16, 2008 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/803 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00057
20130101; A61B 18/14 20130101; A61B 2017/308 20130101; A61N 7/00
20130101; A61B 2018/00994 20130101; A61B 2018/00011 20130101; A61B
2018/00452 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/803 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A user interface for providing control and monitoring of the
operation of an applicator for medical and aesthetic treatment,
said applicator incorporating the use of RF and ultrasound
energies, the user interface comprising: a display; a plurality of
views can be rendered upon the display, each of the plurality of
views configured to occupy at least a section of said display, one
or more of said plurality of views being adapted to present data
responsive to physiological signals obtained from the applicator,
applicator parameter settings and treatment parameter settings; a
plurality of icons configured to occupy a portion of one or more of
said plurality of views and adapted to control the content of said
views when actuated; wherein a first of said views provides
parameters setting tools, and a second of said views presents
treatment progress, and at least one of said icons appearing on
said first and second of said views can be selected so as to switch
said display between said first and second said views.
2. The user interface of claim 1, additionally comprising an
applicator selection view.
3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said physiological
signals comprise signals indicating at least a tissue resistance to
RF induced current.
4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said applicator
parameters comprise at least one of an RF power level, an RF
electrodes temperature, an ultrasound frequency, an ultrasound
time-averaged power, an ultrasound peak power and an ultrasound
scan depth.
5. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said treatment parameters
comprise at least one of a total treatment time, a treatment
progress and an on-line measurements of said physiological
signals.
6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said parameters setting
tools operate automatically.
7. The user interface of claim 1 wherein said physiological signals
comprise at least one of a tissue RF resistance, a tissue firmness
and a fat thickness.
8. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said applicator
parameters comprise at least one of a vacuum pressure, an RF power
level, an RF temperature, an ultrasound frequency, an ultrasound
time-averaged power, an ultrasound peak power and an ultrasound
scan depth.
9. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said treatment parameters
comprise at least one of a total treatment time, a treatment
progress and on-line measurements of said physiological
signals.
10. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said parameters setting
tools operate automatically.
11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said applicator includes
a vacuum.
12. The user interface of claim 11, wherein said physiological
signals comprise at least one of a treatment area definition, a
tissue RF resistance, a tissue firmness and a fat thickness.
13. The user interface of claim 11 wherein said applicator
parameters comprise at least one of vacuum pressure, RF power
level, RF temperature, ultrasound frequency, ultrasound
time-averaged power, ultrasound peak power and ultrasound scan
depth.
14. The user interface of claim 11, wherein said treatment
parameters comprise at least one of a total treatment time, a
treatment progress and on-line measurements of said physiological
signals.
15. The user interface of claim 11, wherein said parameters setting
tools operate automatically.
16. A user interface element used in operating a fat reduction
applicator using RF and ultrasound energies and vacuum pressure,
comprising: a graphic element showing gradual filling of an
applicator inner cavity in accordance with the advancement of
vacuum suction pressure applied to a tissue; and an indication of
the fat depth in said tissue under vacuum pressure when the cavity
has been filled.
17. A user interface method of operating a fat reduction applicator
using RF and ultrasound energies, comprising the steps of: defining
an area to be treated in a first display view; deriving
physiological signals of said area and displaying said signals in a
second display view; setting applicator parameters for said
treatment in a third display view; and monitoring said treatment
progress in a fourth display view, wherein said separate display
views may be combined to form one or more views.
18. The user interface method of claim 17, wherein said step of
defining an area comprises the steps of: displaying a
representative schematic diagram of a human body image; and
receiving a selection of an area from a plurality of designated
areas on said image.
19. The user interface method of claim 18, additionally comprising,
prior to said step of displaying, a step of selecting between
female and male representations.
20. The user interface method of claim 17, wherein said step of
deriving physiological signals is performed automatically.
21. A user interface method of measuring fat thickness in a fat
reduction applicator using RF and ultrasound energies and vacuum
pressure, the method comprising the steps of: schematically showing
the gradual filling of an inner cavity of the applicator in
accordance with the advancement of vacuum suction of a tissue; and
indicating the fat depth in said sucked tissue when the cavity has
been filled.
22. A system for medical and aesthetic treatment, comprising: an
applicator for applying the RF and ultrasound energies to a tissue;
an electronic controller connected with said applicator; a display
connected with said controller; and a user interface displayed on
said display, said user interface comprising: a plurality of views,
each view configured to occupy at least a section of said display,
said views adapted to present data responsive to physiological
signals, applicator parameters and treatment parameters; a
plurality of icons configured to occupy a portion of said views and
adapted to: designate the content of said views; wherein one of
said views provides parameters setting tools, another of said views
presents treatment progress, and at least one of said icons can be
selected so as to switch said display between said views.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a non-provisional application being filed under 37
CFR 1.53(b) and incorporating by reference United States
Provisional Application for patent that was filed on Jul. 16, 2008
and assigned Ser. No. 61/081,110, such application is attached
hereto as Appendix A in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The user interface relates to the field of operation of
apparatuses for providing to a subject ultrasound and/or RF and/or
massage treatment. In particular, the user interface relates to
cosmetic and aesthetic treatments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A user interface for operating aesthetic treatments aids the
therapist/caregiver to set up parameters for the specific
treatment, body area and patient. The user interface also enables
real time monitoring of the on-going treatment, with respect to the
patient's real time measured parameters and the equipment
functionality.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] A user interface is provided for operating non-invasive
devices using a combination of bipolar conductive radio frequency
(RF) induced current and low frequency ultrasound energy, with or
without mechanical manipulation of the skin using gentle vacuum
suction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The user interface and method of operating the applicators
are particularly indicated and distinctly claimed in the concluding
portion of the specification. The user interface and the method,
however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best
be understood by reference to the following detailed description
when read with the accompanied drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the method.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exemplary user interface view for selecting the
body area to be treated;
[0007] FIG. 2 is another exemplary view for selecting the body area
to be treated;
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B are exemplary user interface views for
setting the treatment parameters;
[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exemplary user interface views for
monitoring a treatment in progress;
[0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary user interface views for
performing tissue diagnostic as a pre-treatment step;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exemplary user interface element for indicating
fat variation and skin protrusion state; and
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of one
embodiment of the user interface for controlling the tissue
treatment system or for operating a fat reduction applicator using
RF and ultrasound energies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Non-invasive devices using a combination of bipolar radio
frequency (RF) induced current and low frequency ultrasound energy,
are designed for use in medical and aesthetic practices and are
indicated for a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite
and for temporary reduction of circumferences. The devices may
operate with or without mechanical manipulation of the skin using
gentle vacuum suction devices. They are also useful for the relief
of minor aches and muscle spasms, as well as for the improvement of
local blood circulation. In addition, non-invasive body reshaping
via circumference reduction can be achieved.
[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the treatment device comprises an
applicator for applying the RF and ultrasound energies to a tissue.
When a vacuum is applied (such as described in Provisional U.S.
Patent Application No. 61/081,110 to the same assignee, said
Provisional Application incorporated herein in its entirety), the
RF and ultrasound energies are applied to a tissue protrusion which
was drawn or sucked into the interior of the applicator by the
negative pressure or vacuum.
[0015] The user interface may be operated in a touch-screen
mode.
[0016] A preliminary view (not shown) may be displayed for
selecting the appropriate applicator to be used, when more than one
applicator may be connected to the system.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary user interface view 100 for
selecting the body area to be treated by the applicator device and
controlling such device. View 100 comprises a gender selection tool
110 and a front/back selection tool 120. In the example of FIG. 1,
"male" gender and "front" have been selected, resulting in a front
male image being displayed in body area selection box 130. FIG. 2
shows the resulting view when selecting "female" gender and
"back".
[0018] The human image in box 130 is super-imposed with one or more
circles 140, denoting various body areas suitable for receiving the
treatment. Circles 140 serve as a body area selection tool, e.g. by
pressing one of the circles.
[0019] A tissue flexibility box 150 may serve the therapist or
caregiver to define the degree of tissue flexibility in the area to
be treated, using arrows 160 and 170 to denote greater or lesser
degrees of tissue flexibility (laxity), respectively. In another
embodiment, as will be described in detail in conjunction with FIG.
5, the tissue flexibility may be automatically provided, following
a diagnostics pre-treatment procedure.
[0020] Fat thickness box 180 may serve the therapist to define the
fat depth in the area to be treated, using arrows 185 and 190 to
denote shallower or deeper fat layer, respectively. In another
embodiment, as will be described in detail in conjunction with FIG.
5, the fat thickness may be automatically provided, following a
diagnostics pre-treatment procedure.
[0021] Arrows 186 and 188 serve for changing the displayed view, by
going backwards to the preceding view or forwards to the next view,
respectively.
[0022] FIG. 3A shows an exemplary user interface view 300 for
setting the treatment parameters. The treatment parameters are
divided into two sections with one section including RF level and
RF electrodes temperature 320, and a second section including
ultrasound peak power, average power and scan depth 330. A
schematic drawing of the selected area 340 allows the therapist to
more accurately define the size and location of the area to be
treated, using arrows 342 and 344 to adjust the area's height and
arrows 346 and 348 to define the area's width. Rectangle 350
provides an interactive visual indication of the changed dimensions
and location. Base on the area calculated and the body area
selected the system suggests an appropriate treatment time.
[0023] Total treatment time may be defined in box 360, using arrows
362 and 364 to shorten or lengthen the treatment time,
respectively.
[0024] Buttons P1 through P3 may be used to load previously stored
sets of treatment parameters. Button C may be used to create a new
set of treatment parameters, which may be saved for later reuse by
selecting the Save button.
[0025] Arrow 366 serves for returning to the previous view and
button 368 serves for indicating that the treatment may be
started.
[0026] FIG. 3B shows an alternative exemplary user interface view
380 for setting the treatment parameters, for applicators using
vacuum. All the elements of FIG. 3A participate or are included in
the embodiment illustrated in view 380, with the addition of a
vacuum level and time indicators 310, which may be used to define
vacuum application parameters.
[0027] In another embodiment, as will be described in detail in
conjunction with FIG. 5, the vacuum application parameters may be
automatically provided, following a diagnostics pre-treatment
procedure.
[0028] FIG. 4A shows an exemplary user interface view 400 for
monitoring a treatment in progress. View 400 shows the previously
selected applicator's operating parameters, including RF energy
level and RF electrodes temperature 430, as well as the ultrasound
peak power, average power and scan depth 440. View 400 additionally
provides real time data updates including total accumulated energy
450 and patient's physiological parameters relevant to the
treatment, including tissue resistance to RF induced current 460,
absorption level, i.e. percentage of work done 480 and temperature
variation graph 495, showing the patient's body temperature
variation along the treatment time axis. Progress bar 496 provides
a visual indication of the treatment progress. Arrows 497 and 498
may be used to shorten or lengthen the treatment time,
respectively. Button 499 serves for stopping the treatment.
[0029] Tissue resistance indicator 460 is used to show a current
level of tissue resistance under the current settings. In an
exemplary embodiment, the indicator 460 may include a value scale
472 and a current value pointer 464. The current value pointer or
arrow 464 points at the current level of tissue resistance and area
472 shows the history of average resistance values. Tissue
resistance indicator 460 may comprise extreme areas 461 and 462,
indicating that when the current resistant value 464 is pointing in
these areas, the tissue resistance level to RF induced current is
not suitable for treatment. Additionally, the tissue resistance
indicator 460 may comprise a zones 463a and 463b indicating maximum
and minimum tissue resistance to RF induced current encountered
during the treatment session, respectively. Boxes 473 and 474 may
show the RF impedance at the limit of the extreme areas 461, 462
respectively.
[0030] An absorption level indicator 480 includes a current level
pointer 481 that indicates the percentage of work done. Arrow 481
indicates current absorption level (percentage of work done) and a
numeric value is portrayed on the top of the meter (i.e. 60%).
[0031] FIG. 4B shows an alternative exemplary user interface view
420 for monitoring a treatment in progress, for applicators using
vacuum. All the elements of FIG. 4A can also be utilized in view
420 of FIG. 4B if desired, with the addition of tissue flexibility
indicator 470, current vacuum level indicator 410 and fat variation
indicator 490. These three parameters (410, 470, and 490) are
provided by the applicator, as described in Provisional U.S. Patent
Application No. 61/081,110.
[0032] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary user interface view 500 for
performing tissue diagnostic as a pre-treatment step.
Advantageously, the display elements illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B
can be removed during such a pre-treatment step to greatly simply
the user interface from the operator's perspective. This also helps
to reduce errors in readings. View 500 comprises tissue RF
resistance indicator 510.
[0033] The measured diagnostics parameters may subsequently be used
by the treatment process to establish suitable treatment parameters
such as described in conjunction with FIG. 3A.
[0034] FIG. 5B shows an alternative exemplary user interface view
570 for performing tissue diagnostic as a pre-treatment step for
applicators using vacuum pressure. All the elements illustrated in
FIG. 5A can be included in view 570 of FIG. 5B, with the addition
of tissue flexibility indicator 520 and fat variation indicator
580. These two parameters (520, 580) are provided by the
applicator, as described in Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.
61/081,110. The measured diagnostics parameters may subsequently be
used by the treatment process to establish suitable treatment
parameters such as described in conjunction with FIG. 3B.
[0035] Thus, one aspect and/or embodiment of the present user
interface is a user interface, such as one that can control and
monitor the operations of an applicator such as the one described
in Appendix A. The physical user interface, in general includes a
display, such as a CRT monitor, LCD monitor or the like. The
logical user interface includes a series of screens or views with
each including various controls, status indicators and/or
adjustments. The views can be rendered on the display device in
such a manner that a single view occupies the entire display space
or only a portion of the display space. Two or more views may be
displayed simultaneously or, only one view can be displayed at a
time.
[0036] Although the views can vary greatly, one or more of the
views includes display elements that present data responsive to
physiological signals obtained from the applicator, applicator
parameter settings and treatment parameter settings. Physiological
signals, in general, include signals that are obtained from the
applicator device. More specifically, non-limiting examples of
physiological signals may include a tissue RF resistance, a tissue
firmness or flexibilty, temperature, moisture levels, and/or a fat
thickness. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
signals may also be included.
[0037] Applicator parameters, in general, include parameters that
can be set by an operator for controlling the operating
characteristics of the applicator. As non-limiting examples, the
applicator parameters may include a vacuum pressure level, an RF
power level, an RF temperature, an RF electrodes temperature, an
ultrasound frequency, an ultrasound time-averaged power, an
ultrasound peak power and an ultrasound scan depth.
[0038] The treatment parameters, in general, may be used to control
the overall treatment session. Non-limiting examples of treatment
parameters include a total treatment time, a treatment progress and
an on-line measurements of said physiological signals. The on-line
measurements can then be fed back into the system and heuristically
used to determine further treatments, augment the treatment, or
otherwise adjust the treatment. In various embodiments, a treatment
area definition may be included as a treatment parameter to
instruct/control the area to be treated. In other embodiments, the
treatment area may be a physiological signal that is received based
on the physical location of the applicator. Yet in other
embodiments, the treatment area may be defined by applicator
parameters.
[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the
parameters, including the applicator parameters and/or the
treatment parameters can be manually set, automatically set, a
combination of both manually and automatically set, automatically
set in response to detected physiological settings and/or
automatically set in response to detected physiological settings
and/or manual settings.
[0040] The views may also include one or more icons that occupy a
portion of one or more of the various views. The icons, when
actuated, may operate to invoke actions and settings of the system.
For instance, the icons can be used to modify various treatment and
applicator parameters. In addition, icons may be used simply as
indicators or gauges.
[0041] As another non-limiting example, a first view may provide
parameters setting tools while a second view presents treatment
progress. An icon may be included in each of these views and when
actuated, causes the display to toggle between these views.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows in detail the exemplary user interface element
600 for indicating fat variation (FIG. 4B, 490; FIG. 5B, 580), for
applicators using vacuum pressure, such as described in Provisional
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/081,110. The interface element 600
could be incorporated into embodiments such as those illustrated in
FIGS. 4B and 5B. Fat variation indicator 600 comprises an external
contour 610, simulating the applicator's inner cavity into which
tissue is drawn by vacuum pressure, fat layer 620 and muscle layer
630, schematically drawn when the sucked tissue has reached the
bottom 640 of the inner cavity. A numerical indication of the fat
layer thickness may be provided in box 650. In operation, as the
tissue is drawing into the cavity, interface element 600 shows the
amount of tissue that has been drawn in by gradually filling the
cavity interior with the drawn replication of fat and muscle.
[0043] Thus, this aspect of the present invention is a user
interface element used in operating a fat reduction applicator that
incorporates the use of RF and ultrasound energies and vacuum
pressure. The graphical element 600 represents the actual
applicator. As vacuum pressure applied to the applicator increases,
the user interface element shows a filling of the cavity of element
610 with fat tissue 620 and muscle tissue 630. In the state
illustrated in FIG. 6, the vacuum pressure has been increased to a
point to fully draw the tissue into the cavity. It will be
appreciated that for lower levels of vacuum pressure, the tissue
may be only partially drawing into the cavity. It will also be
appreciated that in some embodiments, sensors may be used on the
inside of the cavity to sense when the tissue has been drawn into
the cavity. These sensors may be used in lieu of or in addition to
the vacuum pressure level to determine at what level the tissue has
been drawn into the cavity. Regardless, the user interface element
can be configured as a Boolean function to indicate that the tissue
is fully drawn or not fully drawn into the cavity. Alternatively,
the user interface element may show a gradual indication that the
inner cavity of the applicator is being filled as the vacuum
pressure increases.
[0044] In addition, the user interface element 600 can provide an
indication with regards to the fat depth of the tissue sucked into
the cavity. As shown by element 650, the fat tissue 620 can be
graphically illustrated as a different color or shading layered
over the muscle tissue 630. At the top of the cavity, ultrasound
technology can be used to determine the depth of the fat before
muscle tissue is encountered. In the illustrated embodiment, this
is shown as being 8 mm.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of one
embodiment of the user interface for controlling the tissue
treatment system or for operating a fat reduction applicator using
RF and ultrasound energies. The user interface 700 initially allows
and operator to define an area to be treated in a first display
view 702. In some embodiments, this may include displaying a
depiction of a human body, or even scanning and displaying the
actual human body being treated, and then displaying this data.
From the displayed information, an operator may select various
regions or portions of the body for treatment. This selection is
provided to the system as a definition of the area to be treated.
In some embodiments, the user interface may allow the operator to
make a selection between gender, body styles (thin, athletic, fat,
stocky), body sizes, age (infant, toddler, child, teen, adult)
etc.
[0046] Physiological signals of the defined area to be treated can
be obtained or derived 704 and then displayed in a second display
view 706. The applicator parameters for the treatment can be
displayed, selected, adjusted and set in a third display view 708.
Once the system is set up, the treatment can be monitored in the
fourth display view 710.
[0047] The user interface may operate as a daisy chain between each
of these successive views or, the views can be combined in various
manners or all displayed such as a card deck onto a display.
[0048] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless,
it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the method.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *