Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment apparatus
US8075488B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/582
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides apparatus and methods for semi-automatic or automatic imaging or treatment of occlusions in vessels using pulsed or unpulsed focussed sound waves, preferably ultrasound, in Doppler technology. The apparatus comprises at least one sound transducer member including at least one sound-emitting element for producing at least one sound wave beam; means to adjust the parameters of said at least one sound wave beam; means to spatially locate said at least one sound-emitting element; means to move said at least one transducer member; means to control movement of said at least one transducer member automatically or semi-automatically; means to automatically or semi-automatically focus sound waves generated by said at least one sound-emitting element into a beam; and means to accept sound signals from sound-emitting element or elements. The invention provides method for semi-automatically or automatically locating an occlusion in a vessel, including the steps of identifying regions of a body in which emboli might be found are identified; selecting a region of interest for sonication; sonicating the region of interest with at least one sound wave beam by moving said sou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.