Patent · US Active

Methods of soft tissue emulsification using a mechanism of ultrasonic atomization inside gas or vapor cavities and associated systems and devices

US9498651B2 · kind B2 · utility

42Cited by
1References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 2012
Grant dateNov 22, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2007/0039
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present technology is directed to methods of soft tissue emulsification using a mechanism of ultrasonic atomization inside gas or vapor cavities, and associated systems and devices. In several embodiments, for example, a method of non-invasively treating tissue includes pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site in tissue. The ultrasound source is configured to emit high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves. The target site comprises a pressure-release interface of a gas or vapor cavity located within the tissue. The method continues by generating shock waves in the tissue to induce a lesion in the tissue at the target site. The method additionally includes characterizing the lesion based on a degree of at least one of a mechanical or thermal ablation of the tissue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.