System and method for ultrasonic harmonic imaging for therapy guidance and monitoring
US8152723B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/378
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasound system is provided which includes a therapy ultrasound transducer and a diagnostic ultrasound transducer and operates in accordance with a method to direct the application of the therapy ultrasound. The method includes operating the diagnostic ultrasound transducer to acquire a first ultrasound image; simultaneously operating the diagnostic ultrasound transducer and therapy ultrasound transducer for a second interval to acquire a second ultrasound image; and determining a difference in the first and second images indicative of the pattern of the therapy ultrasound transducer signal. The difference in the images, which result from enhanced non-linearities and propagation distortions induced by the high intensity therapy ultrasound, can be obtained by subtracting the two images. A method is also provided for monitoring the progress of high intensity therapy ultrasound which evaluates transient changes due to in-situ heating as well as permanent changes which result from cell microstructure alteration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.