Characterization of Nonthermal Focused ultrasound for Noninvasive Selective Fat Cell Disruption (Lysis): Technical and Preclinical Assessment

Reference: Brown SA, Greenbaum L, Shtukmaster S, et al. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009 Jul;124(1):92-101.

Study Details:

  • 3-D acoustic field distribution was measured by hydrophone in a water bath
  • Real-time 2-D acoustic field was assessed using optical visualization by a Schlieren system
  • 3-D and Schlieren results were compared in tissue-mimicking gel phantoms and in frozen specimens of porcine subcutaneous fat
  • A porcine in vivo preclinical model with histological staining of excised skin and subcutaneous fat specimens

Study Results:

  • Stable cavitation both in water and in the gel phantoms
  • Area where the effect was visible corresponded to the focal area of energy delivered by the system transducer
  • Histologically stained specimens of porcine skin and subcutaneous fat (n = 14) following treatments (n = 31) demonstrated fat cell lysis and no observable cellular destruction of adjacent blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue
  • No clinically significant changes in the measured safety parameters were recorded