Energy application with inflatable annular lens
US7540846B2 · kind B2 · utility
36Cited by
137References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N7/022
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for ablating tissue surrounding a tubular anatomical structure such as the wall of a blood vessel or prostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic emitter such as a cylindrical emitter and an inflatable annular lens balloon surrounding the ultrasonic emitter. The lens balloon is inflated with a liquid having acoustic velocity different than that of the surrounding medium, so as to form an annular refracting surface. The acoustic energy from the emitter is focused into an annular focal region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.