Medical diagnostic ultrasound-aided drug delivery system and method
US6475148B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M37/0092
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system is provided for delivering drugs carried by microspheres. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system destroys microspheres in a specific localized area or at a specific time. A region of interest that is a subset of an imaged area is identified for destroying drug-carrying microspheres. The transmit beamformer is configured to transmit acoustic energy for destroying microspheres within that area while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside of the region of interest. A multidimensional transducer array may provide focusing in three-dimensions for accurately destroying microspheres in the specific region while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside that region. A trigger responsive to a heart or breathing cycle may control when microspheres are destroyed, providing delivery of drugs at the most opportune time in the cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.