Geometrically shaped coupling hydrogel standoffs for high intensity focused ultrasound

• US 20040234453A1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UST Incorporated
• Original Assignee: UST Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Larry L.
• Application Number:
  US10/847,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20040234453A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

An in vivo biocompatible hydrogel acoustic coupling standoff for transfer of high intensity ultrasound to achieve hemostasis and ablation during surgery. More specifically, a group of hydrogels, based on hydrophilic block co-polymers, can form rigid, low acoustic attenuation coupling members that are in vivo biocompatible.

Claims

1. An in vivo biocompatible hydrogel acoustic coupling standoff for transferring high intensity ultrasound, said standoff being free standing and having a predetermined form with said hydrogel comprising at least one block co-polymer.

2. The standoff of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel includes at least one block co-polymer comprises polyacrylonitrile.

3. The standoff of claim 2 wherein said hydrogel comprises crystalline polyacrylonitrile and acrylic acid compounds.

4. The standoff of claim 1 having a geometric form.

5. The standoff of claim 4 wherein said geometric form is a cone.

6. The standoff of claim 4 wherein said geometric form is at least one of truncated cone, angular truncated cone, oval and oviform.

7. The standoff of claim 1 comprising at least one block co-polymer and about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % water or saline.

8. The standoff of claim 1 wherein said standoff is solid.

9. The standoff of claim 1 wherein said standoff includes a base surface.

10. The standoff of claim 9 wherein the standoff is secured to a face of an ultrasound transducer, the base surface of said standoff being in conformance to and in contact with the transducer face.

11. The standoff of claim 10 further including an acoustically transparent retainer device arranged thereabout.

12. The standoff of claim 10 being removable and replaceable.

13. The standoff of claim 1 being sterilizable.

14. In a surgical method utilizing an ultrasound transducer and a coupling member for delivering high intensity focused ultrasound to a predetermined area of a target body, the method comprising:

providing an in vivo biocompatible hydrogel acoustic coupling member for transferring high intensity ultrasound, said coupling member being free standing and having a predetermined form with said hydrogel comprising at least one block co-polymer

delivering high intensity focused ultrasound via said transducer and the free standing coupling member to the predetermined area of the target body.

15. The method of claim 14 further including:

removing and replacing the free standing coupling member during the surgical method.