Method and assembly for performing ultrasound surgery using cavitation
US6309355A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2007/0095
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and assembly are provided which use cavitation induced by an ultrasound beam for creating a controlled surgical lesion in a selected treatment volume of a patient. First, a plurality of microbubbles are provided in the treatment volume. Preferably, the threshold for cavitation of microbubbles in the treatment volume is lowered compared with the threshold for cavitation in surrounding tissues. The expected location of the surgical lesion within the treatment volume may be previewed, and then the microbubbles in the treatment volume are cavitated with the ultrasound beam to create the controlled surgical lesion. Preferably, the creation of the surgical lesion at the expected lesion location is then verified. Using the method and assembly of the present invention, the cavitation threshold within the treatment volume is made predictable, and a low frequency ultrasound beam may be used to cavitate the microbubbles within the treatment volume without causing damage to surrounding tissues.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.