Overview of the Machine
In an effort to improve treatment efficacy and safety, the classic HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) device has entered into the therapeutic world for facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening, and body contouring. There has been increasing public concern about facial wrinkles and loss of elasticity due to aging. In response to this problem, various treatments have been proposed for the treatment of facial wrinkles and laxity; however, the ideal treatment option has yet to be identified. Recently, ultrasound was introduced as a new treatment for therapeutic and cosmetic purpose. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) may be the best example of this technique.
The Classic HIFU device is equipped with promising technology that allows having more accurate sculpting of face and body. This machine is operated in a combination of guiding image with the number of shots to be delivered. The user-friendly manner of this device is very much useful for beginners as well. The cost of the treatment process is comparatively low as the price of the cartridge is relatively low. The advanced cosmetic technology of the device can significantly tighten and lift several areas of the face and body, reduce the signs of aging and improve the tone of the skin in a single session, with potentially long-lasting effects. There are no incisions or major injuries to the surface of the skin.
Table Content
| Content | Links |
|---|---|
| How HIFU Works? | Read More |
| The Treatment Mechanism | Read More |
| What is the SMAS layer? | Read More |
| Multiline Vs Single line HIFU Device | Read More |
| Features of HIFU Device | Read More |
| Applications | Read More |
| How to set the machine | Read More |
| How to insert a cartridge into the handle | Read More |
| On Screen Functions of Device | Read More |
| Advanced Power Setting | Read More |
| How to operate the Device | Read More |
| Training Video on Areton Classic HIFU Device | Read More |
| Cartridge Maintenance | Read More |
| Video Cartridge Maintenance | Read More |
| Advantages | Read More |
| Important Key to Remember | Read More |
| Precautions | Read More |
| Full Treatment Video’s | Read More |
How HIFU Works?
HIFU is a non-invasive procedure that uses focused ultrasound energy. It targets deep dermis and SMAS; generates thermal coagulative zones in the targeted tissues without damaging the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. This focused energy causes a contraction on the SMAS layer, as well as denaturation and remodeling of the targeted collagen fibers resulting in NEOCOLLAGENESIS, which then produces significant skin tightening and lifting tissues.
The Treatment Mechanism
HIFU is a non-invasive procedure that uses focused ultrasound energy. It targets deep dermis and SMAS; generates thermal coagulative zones in the targeted tissues without damaging the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. This focused energy causes a contraction of the SMAS layer, as well as denaturation and remodeling of the targeted collagen fibres resulting in NEOCOLLAGENESIS, which then produces significant skin tightening and lifting tissues.
HIFU uses a high level of ultrasonic energy which is tightly focused into a small point to rapidly coagulate targeted tissues. The use of high intensity focused ultrasound has recently expanded from high-precision surgical procedures into the field of noninvasive cosmetic medicine. HIFU differs from other technologies used for skin rejuvenation. A concave disk within the transducer focuses ultrasound energy with very high intensity at specific locations below the epidermis and can specifically target the dermis or Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) layer, a fibrous network consisting of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and fat cells that connects the facial muscles with the dermis and is tightened during a facelift. Where applied, the energy at the focal point rapidly rises while tissue above and below the focal zone are unaffected. Application of HIFU causes collagen fibers to denature and contract and stimulates the production of new collagen that results in skin tightening and rejuvenation.
What is the SMAS layer?
There are mainly three layers of our skin:
- The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin.
- The dermis, underneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- The deeper subcutaneous layer is made of fat and connective tissue.
The SMAS-layer (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic Layer) is located directly below the Subcutaneous Fat layer (Shown in the picture) of the skin. It consists of Collagen Fibers. The SMAS layer protects us from aging and sagging skin. When the level of SMAS weakens, human skin becomes saggy and looks elderly.
Multiline Vs Single line HIFU Device
The Latest Areton ltd. Multiline HIFU Device Allows the Aesthetic Practitioner to work more effectively and with greater speed than traditional single line HIFUs. Comparing with single line HIFU devices, multiline HIFU device can deliver 11 lines of energy per shot and thereby it covers relatively a large area with one shot. This new design allows the practitioners to cut on the treatment time dramatically as one shot can deliver several lines. It means that 11 lines per shot will shorten the time of treatment and minimization of time in treatment means minimization of costs. In reference to the business, the HIFU users can produce a considerable saving by minimizing the treatment costs comparing with other clinics where single line devices are used.
The device multiplies its effectiveness with the extensive set of cartridges. The cartridges are capable of controlling the ultrasound emitter with pinpoint accuracy on the area to be treated. In this way, the emission surface is divided into a very high-definition matrix of points; capable of managing the focal points of the ultrasound on a maximum of 11 lines and 26 points per line.
Four standard cartridges will come with multiline HIFU device to have customizable treatment in different zones of face, neck and body.
Features of the Classic HIFU Device
- The main advantage of this classic HIFU is software-generated imagery. As you place the cartridge, the screen will show you roughly which areas of the face, neck, and body you can treat with that particular cartridge. This feature helps beginners to work safely.
- The device comes with five different depth of cartridges for precisely acting on different depths of the skin.
- Each cartridge can deliver 10000 shots.
- The device penetrates focused ultrasonic energy into different layers of skin.
- The epidermal surface remains unaffected as long as the energy delivered is not excessive for the given focal depth.
- With the changes of the cartridge, the screen will show the areas with the number of total lines to be delivered on each area
- HIFU is an absolutely non-invasive treatment.
- This device allows to control the level of energy in advanced power setting
Device Parameters
| Device Parameters | |
| Model Name | Areton Classic HIFU |
| Technology | HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound |
| Power | 150W |
| Voltage | 110-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Shots | 10000 lines/per cartridge |
| Number of cartridges | 5 |
| Output frequency | HIFU 4-7 MHz |
| Depth of ablation | 1.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.5mm, 8.0mm & 13.0mm |
| Screen size | 15 inch colored touch screen |
Applications
This device is for aesthetic purposes only. The treatment can be performed on face, neck, belly, back, thigh and arms. It can help to—
- Remove crow’s feet
- Reduce wrinkles
- Have anti-neck profile
- Improve nasolabial fold
- Reduce lip line
- Lift sagging skin
- Lift and tighten belly
- Improve arm tone
- Improve the consistency of skin tone
- Have face lifting and skin tightening.
- Improve skin elasticity and contour
How to set the machine
The device will come with the accessories that are shown in the following picture. These will be required to operate the machine and perform the treatment. A set of five cartridges will be combined with the machine and among them, three (1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm) are for face and neck treatment and two (8.0mm and 13.0mm) are for treating the body. Each of the cartridges can deliver 10000 lines of shot and the performance of cartridge gradually deteriorates with its usage. It means that the performance of the new cartridge differs with the used one. Among all other accessories, the USB device will also come with the device and you must use it before starting treatment procedure.
- First, connect the handle. You will find groove which is shown in the picture below; insert the connector of handle following the grove inside the port of the machine; push another end of the handle into the port until it is clicked and unplug the connector, rotate the ring on the tip anti-clockwise and pull directly.
- The USB device should be used and insert it into the machine before starting the treatment
- To switch on the device, press the green button
- Insert one end of the power cord into the machine and plug another end with the grounded pin.
How to insert a cartridge into the handle?
- First, take the cartridge and put it into the handle through the backside of the cartridge and push it.
- It will automatically be locked.
- The machine will start beeping when you will remove the cartridge from the handle; it’s normal.
On-screen Functions of Device
Press this 
button on-screen, a small window, like the picture in the right-hand side, will open where you can increase and decrease the distance between one dot to another. The lower distance among dots covers wider areas per cm² of skin than maximizing the distance among the dots.
The highest length is 14mm shown in the picture above. If you reduce the length to 7mm for example, the length that the transducer will cover is half of the total length. when you want to treat comparatively on sensitive areas, you can reduce the length to ensure that the energy will be penetrated to a certain area.
The energy on the screen is just an approximation. It does not control the intensity of energy. The advanced setting can control the intensity of energy. Increasing or decreasing power in the advanced setting will not affect the value of power on the system interface. If the power is fixed at 2.0j on system interface and reduced advanced power by 10%, the power 2.0j will remain the same. If the power is increased by 50% in the advanced setting, the power 2.0j will remain as before. Increasing or decreasing the power in advanced setting actually induce the intensity of power on the system interface. In the picture below, it is more clearly explained about advanced power setting.
in the right hand, the above picture indicates how many lines of shot the cartridge can deliver. It is showing that the cartridge can deliver 9999 shots.
Patient number is the total number of shots that have been delivered.
click on image to open full image
Advanced Power Setting
Power measures the intensity of energy passes into a different layer of skin. The classic HIFU device provides an option of increasing and decreasing the baseline power in advanced power setting. Press this button on screen for around 3 secs; the advanced power setting screen will be displayed like the picture above. Here, 6 different depths of cartridges will be shown. The power will be shown at 0% means the power is neutral and 0% is the baseline of power which can be increased up to 50%.
Increasing or decreasing energy level in the advanced setting will not affect the value of energy on the system interface. The value of energy on screen is just an approximation. For example, If you fixed the energy at 2.0j on system interface and reduce advanced power by 10%, the power 2.0j will remain the same. If the power is increased by 50% in the advanced setting, the power 2.0j will remain as before. Increasing or decreasing the power in advanced setting actually induce the intensity of power on the system interface.
Distance
- Press
button on the screen. you will get a small window similar to the picture showed in the right-hand picture. Here you can adjust the distance of the dots. - You can adjust the distance from 1.0mm up to 1.6mm
- Distance indicates the distance or gap between one dot to another. In the picture, the distance is showed 1.0mm which means the distance from one dot to another is 1.0mm.
- Adjustment to lend and distance helps to target a certain area to penetrate ultrasonic energy.
- Minimizing the distance and maximizing the length can cover a wider area of skin.
How to Operate the Device
Step 1:
- Immediately after switched on the device the screen will show the logo of Areton Ltd (and the system will start beeping.
Step 2:
- Press on the screen, then a screen will come to input patient information like the picture below.
- Fill up the form with patient name, patient ID, clinician name, etc.
- Next, to the patient information form, you will get this
button on the right-hand side on the screen. Press it to start treatment.
Step 3:
- After pressing button, the treatment screen will be displayed like the picture below
- Now insert cartridge; however, if you take out the cartridge from the handle, the device will again start beeping.
Step 4:
- If you have set the 1.5mm depth of cartridge into the handle, then the software will display an image with its corresponding areas and the number of lines to be delivered.
- If you press any area, Patient Total will show the total number of lines to be delivered. With delivering the lines of shot into the skin, the patient total will keep decreasing.
- The number of shots that the software shows, it is just an indication. You can deliver more shots if you think it is appropriate.
Step 5:
- If you have set the 3.0mm depth of cartridge into the handle, then the software will display an image with its corresponding areas and the number of lines to be delivered.
- If you press any area, Patient Total will show the total number of lines to be delivered. With delivering the lines of shot into the skin, the patient total will keep decreasing.
Step 6:
- If you have set the 4.5mm depth of cartridge into the handle, then the software will display an image with its corresponding areas and the number of lines to be delivered.
- The 4.5mm cartridge is the highest depth of cartridge or face and neck and it penetrates energy into 4.5mm deep inside the skin.
- If you press any area, Patient Total will show the total number of lines to be delivered. With delivering the lines of shot into the skin, the patient total will keep decreasing.
Step 7:
- If you have set 8.0mm or 13.0mm depth of cartridge into the handle, then the software will display the same area of the body where you can treat.
- With changes of the cartridge, the number of cartridges and its sign will be changed.
- If you press any area, Patient Total will show the total number of lines to be delivered. With delivering the lines of shot into the skin, the patient total will keep decreasing.
- Never use 8.0mm and 13.0mm cartridge on the face.
Areton HIFU Mandatory Cartridge Maintenance
In order for the cartridges to fully work, they have to be filled with water. If you do not use the cartridges for seven months to a year, water inside the cartridges is evaporated. So it needs to fill the cartridges again with distilled water. When you will pour water, be careful from the overspill of water. Otherwise, If the PCB gets wet, the cartridge could be damaged. The process of emptying the cartridge and pouring water is shown below.
Usually, the cartridges come with water-filled inside. But it depends on how it has been shipped to you. If it has shipped by air then the cartridges will be empty.
Note : Water has to be changed every 3 months. Do not need to change the water after the number of shots.
Areton HIFU Mandatory Cartridge Maintenance system
Notes Before HIFU Treatment
- Before starting treatment, clean the area which will be treated and dry up the area.
- Make sure that ultrasound gel is applied on the skin; when ultrasonic energy passes through a fluid produces best results.
- Attach appropriate cartridge before starting treatment.
- In order to find appropriate power setting for the area that you are treating, you have to start treatment at the lowest power setting and increase the power until customers find it at a comfortable level. When the treatment becomes too painful, it means that you have to reduce the power level.
The overall number of lines are applied to a treatment area depends on the size of the area and chosen protocol. Treatment guidelines including the selection of cartridges and suggested treatment patterns over different areas of the face and body are provided by Areton Ltd.
Advantages of the HIFU Classic
- The main advantage of this classic HIFU is software-generated imagery. As you place the cartridge, the screen will show you roughly which areas of the face, neck, and body you can treat with that particular cartridge. This feature helps beginners to work safely.
- With the changes of the cartridge, the screen will show the areas with the number of total lines to be delivered on each area
- Consumable costs is quite low as the cartridge price is comparatively low.
- Each cartridge can deliver 10000 lines of shot
- This device allows controlling the level of energy in advanced power setting
Important Keys to Remember
- Energy must be set in a safe and effective level. The recommended levels of energy are as follows:
Cartridge 1.5: safe energy scope: 0.1-0.9J
Cartridge 3.0: safe energy scope: 0.1-1.0J
Cartridge 4.5: safe energy scope: 0.1-1.2J
- Higher intensity of energy could be painful for patients. Always ensure that the patients are feeling comfortable with any changes of energy level. It is advised to start treatment on the lowest power setting.
- How to know which level of energy is better during treatment?
Customer’s age and skin condition could be the parameter to select the level of energy. But, It is strongly advised to start treatment on the lowest power setting. Higher intensity of energy could be painful for patients and therefor, always ensure that the patients are feeling comfortable with any changes of energy level. The lowest distance between line and dots along with lower power setting in advanced setting can help you perform more tolerable and safe treatment process.
- When performing treatment do remember to put enough gel on the treatment areas. Ultrasonic energy works well through the conductive gel.
- Do not press the cartridge strongly on the skin during treatment. Gently move the transducer on the skin surface.
- For different area cartridges differ; so please be familiar with the cartridges and their corresponding treatment areas
- In the perspex test, if the back of the acrylic sheet stays smooth after penetrating the energy, it means that the setting of energy level was safe. You can use this setting to perform a treatment to patients. The perspex test is shown in picture
below. If you touch the dots within the circle you will have a concave-convex feeling. But the other side of the sheet is smooth. If both sides of the acrylic sheet is rough it means that the energy was too strong and you should not use it. - If causes blistering/ red scratch on the skin after treatment it means that energy level was too high. Please use a hydrating mask after one hour and it should be at a normal temperature.
- Please remember to use sufficient gel on treatment areas.
- The transducer cannot shot upward like the picture
above and also if you treat without gel, the cartridge would be damaged.
Precautions
The most worrisome potential complication is motor nerve palsies. The areas at the greatest risk for injury are the temporal branch of the Trigeminal Nerve and the Marginal Mandibular Nerve, where the depth of the nerve becomes relatively superficial. These effects can be prevented by avoiding treatment directly over the mandible or facial nerves. Because there are no commercially available eye shields known to protect the eye from ultrasound energy, treatment should not be done inside the orbital rim. The thyroid gland should be avoided and the areas can be marked from being inadvertent.
Notes for Transportation
Drain all cartridges before embarking on aircraft. It is highly advisable that the fluid inside cartridges are drained before transporting the device by aircraft. Refill the cartridges with distilled water once you have arrived at the destination and intended to use the device again. Failure to drainage before embarking can cause breakage of the cartridge due to pressure caused by the altitude of the aircraft. In any case when transporting the cartridge, always place it inside the original shock-absorbing casing provided.
Face Nerve Precautions
