Method and apparatus for safety delivering medicants to a region of tissue using imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring ultrasonic system
US6623430B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/22028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the safe delivery of thermosensitive liposomes containing medicant to a targeted tissue region using ultrasound. Thermosensitive liposomes containing medicants are delivered to a region of interest, the region of interest is located using ultrasound imaging, ultrasound therapy is applied to heat the region of interest, and the temperature of the region is monitored to determine whether a designated threshold temperature has been reached which allows for the release of medicants from the liposomes. If the threshold temperature is reached, and the liposomes are melted, the treatment stops. If the threshold temperature has not been reached, the application of ultrasound therapy and ultrasound imaging are alternated until the threshold temperature is reached. The ultrasound imaging, temperature monitoring and ultrasound therapy are preferably performed with a single transducer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.