Apparatus and methods for delivering acoustic energy to body tissue

• US 20050124897A1
• Filed: 12/03/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chopra, Gopal K.
• Application Number:
  US10/728,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124897A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering acoustic energy to a target site includes a structure and a transducer secured to the structure, the transducer having a surface configured to be placed on a tissue. The structure comprises a channel located adjacent the transducer, the channel adapted for carrying cooling fluid.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering acoustic energy to a target site, comprising:

a structure; and

a transducer secured to the structure, the transducer having a surface configured to be placed on a tissue, the structure comprising a channel located adjacent the transducer and adapted for carrying cooling fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fluid source in fluid communication with the channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the structure comprising one or more lumens in fluid communication with the fluid source and the channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger for cooling fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the structure comprising a harness.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, the harness carrying a sensor configured for sensing a neurological signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the structure comprising a catheter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, the structure comprising a handle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic energy sensor secured to the structure adjacent the transducer.

10. An apparatus for delivering acoustic energy to a tissue region, comprising:

a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending there between;

a transducer secured to the catheter distal end and configured to deliver acoustic energy to a tissue region; and

means for cooling the catheter distal end.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, the means for cooling comprising a channel located adjacent the transducer and a fluid source in fluid communication with the channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a neurological signal sensor secured to the catheter distal end.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an acoustic energy sensor secured to the catheter distal end.

14. A method for performing ultrasound therapy in a target tissue region of a patient, the method comprising:

placing a transducer on a tissue surface;

delivering a blood thinning agent to a target tissue region underlying the tissue surface;

delivering acoustic energy from the transducer to the target tissue region thereby causing dilatation of a vessel in the target tissue region; and

cooling the tissue surface to remove heat generated from the delivered acoustic energy.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tissue surface comprises a skin surface.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the tissue surface comprises dura tissue.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the tissue surface a surface of an internal organ.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the delivered acoustic energy is at a frequency between about two MHz and about ten MHz.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the target tissue region comprises a brain vessel.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising recording a neurological signal before or during the delivery of acoustic energy.

21. A method for delivering acoustic energy to a tissue region within a body, the method comprising:

introducing a structure carrying a transducer into a body;

delivering acoustic energy to the tissue region.

cooling a tissue adjacent or within the tissue region to reduce heat that is generated from the delivered acoustic energy.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising delivering a blood thinning agent to the tissue region prior to delivering the acoustic energy.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising sensing a reflected acoustic signal that is associated with the delivered acoustic energy.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising analyzing the reflected acoustic signal to determine a location of a vessel.