Thermal treatment methods and apparatus with focused energy application
US6635054B2 · kind B2 · utility
562Cited by
89References
41Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N7/022
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A collapsible ultrasonic reflector incorporates a gas-filled reflector balloon, a liquid-filled structural balloon an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the structural balloon. Acoustic energy emitted by the transducer is reflected by a highly reflective interface between the balloons. In a cardiac ablation procedure, the ultrasonic energy is focused into an annular focal region to ablate cardiac tissue extending in an annular path along the wall. Devices for stabilizing the balloon structure and for facilitating collapse and withdrawal of the balloon structure are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.