Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with skin of a subject, the apparatus including a handheld unit and an ultrasound transducer disposed in the handheld unit and configured to transmit ultrasound energy into the skin. An outwardly-facing surface of the handheld unit includes a transducer-skin interface that is configured (a) to contact the skin when the handheld unit is positioned against the skin and (b) to slide against the skin. A sensor is disposed in the handheld unit and is configured to detect a distance between the transducer-skin interface to a bone under the skin of the subject when the transducer-skin interface is positioned against the skin. Control circuitry is configured to drive the ultrasound transducer to apply the ultrasound energy into the skin at different respective power levels according to the detected distance.

Abstract: A method including applying an agent to skin of a subject; and facilitating delivery of the agent into the skin by focusing ultrasound energy to a focal zone that is less than 0.2 mm in depth from a surface of the skin. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Cartridge apparatus (230) for use with a handle (220) is provided. The apparatus includes a housing (500) which: (a) includes a handle-coupling portion (235) shaped and sized to securely couple the housing to the handle and to facilitate separation of the housing from the handle, (b) shaped to define a skin-application portion (40) on an outer surface of the housing, and (c) includes at least one ultrasound element (60) in acoustic communication with the skin-application portion and configured to transmit ultrasound energy to the skin through the skin-application portion when the cartridge is attached to the handle. The cartridge apparatus also includes an inflatable element (250) inflated with a fluid, the fluid being in fluid communication with the skin-application portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for lipolysis and body contouring of a subject. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for placement on tissue of the subject. The apparatus also includes a plurality of acoustic elements disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, including at least a first and a second subset of the acoustic elements, wherein the first subset is configured to transmit energy in a plane defined by the housing, such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy reaches the second subset. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided comprising a skin-application portion (40), configured to move across skin of a subject. At least one acoustic element (50) is coupled to the skin-application portion (40) and configured to be placed in acoustic contact with the skin, and configured to apply ultrasound energy to the skin. The apparatus (20) additionally comprises circuitry configured to generate a current responsive to motion of the skin-application portion (40); and a control unit (10), which is configured to receive the current, to determine, responsive thereto, whether the skin-application portion (40) is moving with respect to the skin, and to drive the acoustic element (50) to apply the ultrasound energy to the skin responsive to determining that the skin-application portion (40) is moving with respect to the skin. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising placing an energy source coupled to a first support structure, at a first location on skin of an eyelid and placing a second structure at a second location on the skin of the eyelid, the second location being farther from the eye than is the first location. A portion of skin of the eyelid and underlying tissue is held between the first and second structures and treatment energy is transmitted from the energy source, from the first location away from the eye, through the tissue, toward the second location on the skin of the eyelid, while withholding transmission of treatment energy from the second location on the skin of the eyelid, toward the eye, through the portion of tissue, toward the first location on the skin of the eyelid. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including first and second support structures for placement on skin of a subject. At least one of the first and second structures is moveable with respect to the other so as to draw a portion of the skin and underlying tissue of the subject between respective lateral surfaces of the support structures. At least one ultrasound transducer is moveably coupled to the first support structure along an axis of the structure that is not parallel to the lateral surface of the structure. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit toward the portion of skin and underlying tissue one or more forms of acoustic radiation energy, including treatment energy. At least one acoustic element is coupled to the second support structure. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a scar on a skin surface of a subject is provided. A subject is identified as having a skin surface with scar tissue. In response to identifying the subject as having the scar tissue, a housing comprising at least one acoustic transducer is placed on the skin surface with the scar tissue and the acoustic transducer is activated to apply high intensity focused ultrasound energy to a portion of the scar tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, which includes at least first and second focused ultrasonic transducers, which are arranged facing each other, and a controllable energy source. The energy source is configured to activate the focused ultrasonic transducers to simultaneously generate respective first and second focused ultrasound beams having respective first and second focal zones located in close proximity to each other. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a housing, adapted for placement on tissue of a subject, and a plurality of transducers, disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, and configured to transmit energy towards each other, in a plane defined by the housing.

Abstract: A housing (50) is placed on skin of a subject, and draws at least a portion of the skin within at least a part of the housing. The housing includes at least first and second support structures (34), placed in contact with a surface of skin surrounding the portion of the skin, the first support structure having a first concave surface (153) and the second support structure having a second concave surface (153) that faces the first concave surface. The apparatus includes one or more first ultrasound transducers (160) coupled to the first support structure and one or more second ultrasound transducers coupled to the second support structure. The apparatus also includes a control unit which drives the first and second ultrasound transducers to induce an implosion wave in a target region of the skin. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for lipolysis and body contouring of a subject. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for placement on tissue of the subject. The apparatus also includes a plurality of acoustic elements disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, including at least a first and a second subset of the acoustic elements, wherein the first subset is configured to transmit energy in a plane defined by the housing, such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy reaches the second subset. Other embodiments are also described.