Imaging, therapy, and temperature monitoring ultrasonic system
US6050943A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/22028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic system useful for providing imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring generally comprises an acoustic transducer assembly configured to enable the ultrasound system to perform the imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring functions. The acoustic transducer assembly comprises a single transducer that is operatively connected to an imaging subsystem, a therapy subsystem and a temperature monitoring subsystem. The ultrasound systems may also include a display for imaging and temperature monitoring functions. An exemplary single transducer is configured such that when connected to the subsystems, the imaging subsystem can generate all image of a treatment region on the display, the therapy subsystem can generate high power acoustic energy to heat the treatment region, and the temperature monitoring subsystem can map and monitor the temperature of the treatment region and display the temperature on the display, an through the use of the single transducer. Moreover, the acoustic transducer assembly is configured such that the imaging, therapeutic heating and temperature monitoring of the treatment region can be conducted substantially simultaneously.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.