HIFU applicator

US9573000B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Mirabillis Medica, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ethan Albright · Mill Creek, US
• Roland Horth · Burlington, US
• John Murkowski · Seattle, US
• Troy Michael Brown · Camas, US
• Daniel B. Phillips · Bellevue, US
• Gregory P. Darlington · Granite Falls, US
• Adam L. Smith · Palm Desert, US
• Scott C. Thielman · Seattle, US
• Blake Stancik · Mukilteo, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 18, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2007/0091
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An applicator for providing HIFU therapy to a patient includes a HIFU transducer that is rotatably coupled to a frame. In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling is configured such that the HIFU transducer can be mechanically oriented to position a focal zone of the HIFU transducer at any desired location in a treatment volume radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the applicator while the HIFU transducer remains within a housing that is not more than a defined percentage (e.g., 50%) larger than the maximum diameter of the HIFU transducer. In one embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with a ball and socket joint. In another embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with an offset gimble assembly. A pair of linear actuators and drive shafts engage the HIFU transducer to orient HIFU transducer in a desired direction.