Boiling histotripsy methods and systems for uniform volumetric ablation of an object by high-intensity focused ultrasound waves with shocks

US12157018B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• University of Washington · US
• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., A CORPORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS · NL

Inventors

• Vera A. Khokhlova · Seattle, US
• Michael R. Bailey · Seattle, US
• Navid Farr · Seattle, US
• Tatiana D. Khokhlova · Seattle, US
• Wayne Kreider · Seattle, US
• Adam D. Maxwell · Seattle, US
• Ari Ilkka Mikael Partanen · Bethesda, US
• Oleg A. Sapozhnikov · Seattle, US
• George R. Schade · Fullerton, US
• Yak-Nam Wang · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2019
• Grant date: Dec 3, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/22007
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An example method includes generating an acoustic ultrasound wave that is focused at a focal point. The method further includes sequentially directing the focal point upon distinct portions of an object to form respective shock waves at the distinct portions of the object. The method further includes, via the respective shock waves, causing the distinct portions of the object to boil and form respective vapor cavities. The method further includes causing substantially uniform ablation of a region of the object that comprises the distinct portions. The substantially uniform ablation is caused via interaction of the respective shock waves with the respective vapor cavities. An example ablation system and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium, both related to the example method, are also disclosed.