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Study Specifics
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The Contour Plus greatly differs from the Contour I platform as significant improvements are seen in its energy settings, software as well as a more refined tracking system, making the Contour Plus much more user friendly. Ultrashape is doing this FDA approved study to evaluate its technology and according to Dr. Kenkel, the truth will be seen in the results.
"I think there are a lot of devices in this space but there has never been a trial or study that is even close to evaluating objectively like this study. If the results show a change, it will prove to be a well-validated, well-controlled and well-conceived study that is not anecdotal and can hopefully show cosmetic surgeons just how effective the Contour Plus is," Dr. Kenkel says.
Need specific
According to Dr. Kenkel, the Contour Plus is ideal for those patients who have localized areas of fat, those patients who require minor revisions following a liposuction procedure or those patients who are liposuction candidates but do not want to have a surgery done. However, good judgment by the physician is important because if patients are a candidate for liposuction — that is probably what they need.
"This is not going to replace liposuction in my practice. I think this could be a less invasive way to get some improvement in their contour. They are not going to get the same results as with liposuction but this may be another alternative for them," Dr. Kenkel says.
"Contour Plus is very similar to Contour I from a patient standpoint however from an operative standpoint it is much better. I think that the major changes between the two devices will be seen in the operator's ability to perform the procedure. From a patient's standpoint, the cosmetic effect may be better with the improvements and it's energy settings," says Sue Ellen Cox, M.D., Medical Director at Aesthetic Solutions, Chapel Hill, NC, and principal investigator.
According to Dr. Cox, the ideal candidates for the Contour I and Contour Plus devices are not obese patients but instead those who have an extra inch or two of fat to pinch. They are especially effective in localized areas such as the abdomen, the flanks and the outer thighs and offer an effective approach to reduce unwanted fat deposits.
"The Contour Plus approach is appealing because the penetration of the ultrasound waves reach the exact same depth as that targeted with liposuction, so you are having a very uniform reduction of fat without any big fear of having contour irregularities," Dr. Cox says.
