Controlled high efficiency lesion formation using high intensity ultrasound
US6626855B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2007/0052
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasound system used for both imaging and delivery high intensity ultrasound energy therapy to treatment sites and a method for treating tumors and other undesired tissue within a patient's body with an ultrasound device. The ultrasound device has an ultrasound transducer array disposed on a distal end of an elongate, relatively thin shaft. In one form of the invention, the transducer array is disposed within a liquid-filled elastomeric material that more effectively couples ultrasound energy into the tumor, that is directly contacted with the device. Using the device in a continuous wave mode, a necrotic zone of tissue having a desired size and shape (e.g., a necrotic volume selected to interrupt a blood supply to a tumor) can be created by controlling at least one of the f-number, duration, intensity, and direction of the ultrasound energy administered. This method speeds the therapy and avoids continuously pausing to enable intervening normal tissue to cool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.