Ultrasound therapy head configured to couple to an ultrasound imaging probe to facilitate contemporaneous imaging using low intensity ultrasound and treatment using high intensity focused ultrasound

US6716184B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Washington · US

Inventors

• Shahram Vaezy · Seattle, US
• Roy W. Martin · Downers Grove, US
• Stephen J. Carter · La Conner, US
• George W. Keilman · Bothell, US
• Victor Y. Fujimoto · Seattle, US
• Lawrence A. Crum · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 2002
• Grant date: Apr 6, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/378
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Method and apparatus for the simultaneous use of ultrasound on a probe for imaging and therapeutic purposes. The probe limits the effects of undesirable interference noise in a display by synchronizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves with an imaging transducer to cause the noise to be displayed in an area of the image that does not overlap the treatment site. In one embodiment, the HIFU is first energized at a low power level that does not cause tissue damage, so that the focal point of the HIFU can be identified by a change in the echogenicity of the tissue caused by the HIFU. Once the focal point is properly targeted on a desired treatment site, the power level is increased to a therapeutic level. The location of each treatment site is stored and displayed to the user to enable a plurality of spaced-apart treatment sites to be achieved. As the treatment progresses, any changes in the treatment site can be seen in the real time, noise-free image. A preferred application of the HIFU waves is to cause lesions in blood vessels, so that the supply of nutrients and oxygen to a region, such as a tumor, is interrupted. The tumor will thus eventually be destroyed. In a pref…