Therapeutic vs Diagnostic Ultrasound Tissue Temperature

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the differences between diagnostic ultrasound and Ultherapy, particularly regarding their applications in treating skin aging. The original poster, with extensive experience in diagnostic ultrasound, questions the claims made about Ultherapy's focused ultrasound technology. They highlight statements from both physicians and a physicist asserting that diagnostic ultrasound cannot be focused to target specific skin areas or generate the necessary temperatures for effective treatment, raising concerns about the ethical implications of these claims. The conversation also touches on the FDA approval of Ultherapy as a non-invasive skin tightening procedure, emphasizing its use of micro-focused ultrasound to achieve results. The poster seeks further clarification on the intensity limits of ultrasound units and the differences in focus between Ultherapy and diagnostic equipment.
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TL;DR Summary
Ultrasound focus, energy, tissue temperature
Hello everyone, I stumble on this forum while searching for reliable explanation of ultrasound thermal energy with regards to temperature increase in superficial human tissue, specifically skin. I have been performing diagnostic ultrasound for almost 30 years, specifically vascular hemodynamics.

I have been reading about Uletherapy for the treatment of aging skin and read some information regarding the specific ultrasound system used for the treatment. Basically it said it differed form diagnostic ultrasound because their ultrasound is focused. Huh? I didn't have a problem with that nugget because I figured it was the marketing of the treatment as to eliminate "just anyone" from performing this service. But, when I read the Q&A page, answered by physicians AND a physicist, where this information was specifically questioned, both the physicist and physician stated that diagnostic ultrasound cannot be focused, and therefor not target a specific skin segment.

It went on to say that diagnostic equipment cannot generate the required temperature to elicit cell turnover (could not raise tissue above 60 degrees Celsius). THAT is when I was triggered. And that is when i started looking into it. Marketing department, okay but shady. A physician though? Sounds like unethical and possibly malpractice. Dont all ultrasound units have an intensity limit of 720 mW/cm2? Does anyone know if the Uletherapy units have a different focus then diagnostic units?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
 
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Welcome to PF. :smile:

Google auto-corrected the spelling for me to "Ultherapy", and it does look like it's FDA approved for skin tightening cosmetic procedures:

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-ultherapy
What Is Ultherapy?

Ultherapy, also known as Ulthera, is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment used to tighten the skin of the face and neck. This FDA-approved ultrasound therapy works to gradually lift the skin on your neck, chin, and brow, minimizing any fine lines and wrinkles.

Using micro-focused ultrasound, Ultherapy treats the superficial layers of the skin at a much lower level of ultrasound energy than the high-energy ultrasound that's more often used to nonsurgically remove tumors.

These two types of focused ultrasound are in many ways similar to a pregnancy ultrasound or other types of ultrasound used in medical imaging. The main difference is that Ultherapy emits various frequencies of ultrasound energy through the skin in order to lift and tighten it.

As of today, Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment option of its kind. Studies have shown that it’s both safe and effective.

Can you provide some links to the reading you've been doing on this question? Thanks.
 
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