Apparatus for delivering high intensity focused ultrasound energy to a treatment site internal to a patient's body
US8057391B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2007/0078
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering HIFU energy may include a probe with a plurality of leaves that provide a bowl-shaped HIFU therapy transducer. In once case, pins may slide within grooves in the leaves to deploy the leaves. In another case, spines may be configured to slide in a channel defined in each leaf. In other cases, a spring or a shape memory alloy may be used to deploy the leaves. In another implementation, a probe may be fitted with a flexible material that couples the HIFU therapy transducer to the probe and allows the transducer to be drawn to the side of the probe for insertion. In another implementation, a probe may have one or more inflatable bladders that form the HIFU therapy transducer. In yet another implementation, a probe may have an imaging component and a HIFU therapy transducer disposed thereon that rotate, as a unit, about a hinge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.