Method and apparatus for providing non-invasive ultrasound heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus
US7044960B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N7/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system is provided to induce mild hypothermia in a patient through controlled heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) in conjunction with cooling of patient's body. The system employs an ultrasound transducer that may be positioned extracorporeally to a patient skull for emitting ultrasound energy to the POAH. The ultrasound energy heats the POAH to inhibit thermoregulatory responses of the body such that a cooling means may more effectively cool bodily tissue in order to reduce a patient's core body temperature. Feedback sensors may be positioned at various locations on the patient in order to monitor the patient's core body temperature. A control apparatus included with the system controls the amount of heat the POAH receives and the amount of cooling the body receives based on the feedback signals from the sensors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.