Method and system for ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment

• US 20060084891A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,758,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0052 using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A non-invasive ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment method and system are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a high-frequency ultrasound transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient such that the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of the patient can be treated. An exemplary high-frequency ultrasound transducer system comprises a control system and a transducer configured to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. The high-frequency ultrasound transducer may be configured to operate at higher frequencies and controlled power levels to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. For example, higher frequencies within the range from approximately 20 MHz to 500 MHz or more may be utilized.

Claims

1. An ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment system configured for treatment of a patient, said ultrasound treatment system comprising:

a control system configured for operational control of said ultrasound treatment system; and

a non-invasive transducer configured to provide acoustical energy to a region of interest within a superficial region and an internal superficial region, said transducer coupled to said control system to receive drive signals, said transducer configured to operate within a frequency range between approximately 20 MHz and 500 MHz.

2. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises:

a transduction element configured for electro-acoustical conversion of energy;

an application device coupled to said transduction element and configured to couple acoustical energy into said region of interest.

3. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said transduction element comprises a piezoelectric crystal comprising at least one of lithium niobate and quartz.

4. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said piezoelectric crystal comprises at least one of a Y-cut lithium niobate crystal and an X-cut quartz crystal

5. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said transduction element is configured with a minimally-invasive application device to facilitate substantially direct contact with a deep tissue region.

6. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 3, wherein said piezoelectric crystal comprises approximately a diameter between 3 mm and 5 mm, and a fundamental frequency between approximately 20 MHz and 500 MHz.

7. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises an applicator tip.

8. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises a transparent, solid standoff.

9. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 7, wherein said applicator tip comprises a non-transparent disposable device.

10. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 7, wherein said applicator tip comprises a length less than approximately 1 mm.

11. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 7, wherein said applicator tip comprises fused silica.

12. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device is coupled to the patient through a thin-film coupling fluid.

13. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises a substantially flat shape for coupling to the patient.

14. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises a concave-like depression for coupling to the patient.

15. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises an optical magnifier for coupling to the patient.

16. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said control system comprises a drive circuit comprising:

a driver configured for providing power signals to said transducer; and

a feedback network coupled between said driver and said transducer, said feedback network configured for driving a frequency of said transducer in a controlled manner to maximize efficiency.

17. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 16, wherein said drive circuit comprises an oscillator-based, closed-loop configuration.

18. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 16, wherein said drive circuit comprises a voltage-controlled-oscillator based, closed-loop configuration.

19. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 16, wherein said driver comprises a power oscillator.

20. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 16, wherein said feedback network facilitates control of a drive frequency to within a small fraction of a resonance frequency of said transduction element.

21. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said control system comprises a drive circuit comprising:

a voltage-controlled oscillator;

a driver configured for providing power signals to said transducer;

said driver coupled to said voltage-controlled oscillator;

a current measurement device coupled between said driver and said transducer; and

a phase detector coupled to said driver and said current measurement device and configured to provide a correction voltage to said voltage-controlled oscillator.

22. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein treatment occurs with a steady-state ultrasound intensity of approximately between 80 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm².

23. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is configured for operation with continuous wave energy and short-pulses of energy.

24. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is configured for moving a treatment region below said superficial region through controlled cooling of said transducer.

25. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 25, wherein said controlled cooling comprises circulating water proximate an applicator tip of said transducer.

26. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 25, wherein said controlled cooling comprises electrical cooling of an applicator tip of said transducer.

27. An ultrasound treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said electrical cooling of an applicator tip of said transducer comprises use of at least one of thermoelectric modules, heat sinks and temperature sensors.

28. A method for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient, said method comprising:

operating a transducer comprising a transduction device within a frequency range between approximately 40 MHz and 100 MHz; and

providing acoustical energy to a region of interest configured within a superficial region and a subcutaneous region.