Focused ultrasound for pain reduction

• US 20060184069A1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey J. Vaitekunas
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey J. Vaitekunas
• Inventors: Vaitekunas, Jeffrey J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,553,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

Methods and devices that provide ultrasonic energy used to cause one or more nerves to become dysfunctional. A nerve to be treated is placed in the focal zone of ultrasonic energy emitted by ultrasound transducer. A first level of ultrasonic energy is provided to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve. A verification is made that the desired nerve is being stimulated by the first level of ultrasonic energy. For example, the patient may be asked to confirm that the ultrasonically stimulated nerve corresponds to the pain that is affecting the patient. Subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of ultrasonic energy is delivered to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction.

Claims

1. A method of pain reduction, comprising:

targeting the focal zone of an ultrasound transducer on a nerve;

providing a first level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve;

verifying the stimulated nerve is a nerve desired for the reduction of pain using a response of the stimulated nerve; and

providing, subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a first level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve comprises providing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer, starting at a zero or quiescent amplitude, and increasing the amplitude until the response of the stimulated nerve is detected.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the response of the stimulated nerve is detected by a patient acknowledging that the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the response of the stimulated nerve is detected by a measured response of the stimulated nerve to the first level of ultrasonic energy provided to the nerve.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the measured response is an electrophysiolical measurement of the nerve distal to the targeted focal zone.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the measured response is a measure of neural activity consistent with a neural activity associated with a localized pain of a patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve comprises providing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer at a level sufficient to denature the nerve, thereby causing permanent nerve dysfunction.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising providing a compressive force to the nerve as the denatured nerve congeals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer is transcutaneously applied.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising generating an ultrasound image of the area proximate the nerve, wherein targeting the focal zone of the ultrasound transducer on the nerve comprises targeting the nerve using the ultrasound image.

11. An ultrasonic therapy system, comprising:

an ultrasonic therapy transducer configured to target a focal zone of the transducer on neural tissue;

therapy circuitry configured to provide a first level of ultrasonic energy to the neural tissue using the ultrasonic therapy transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the neural tissue; and

level adjusting circuitry configured to adjust the therapy circuitry to a second level of ultrasonic energy, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction of the neural tissue.

12. The system of claim 11, comprising a switch configured to provide a confirmation signal to the ultrasonic system, thereby enabling the second level of ultrasonic energy to be provided by the therapy circuitry.

13. The system of claim 11, comprising an ultrasonic imaging system configured to provide an image of tissue surrounding the neural tissue, the image comprising an indicator that indicates the focal zone of the ultrasonic therapy transducer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the transducer is configured for transcutaneous application of the ultrasonic energy.

15. An ultrasonic therapy system, comprising:

means for targeting the focal zone of an ultrasound transducer on a nerve;

means for providing a first level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve;

means for verifying the stimulated nerve is a nerve desired for the reduction of pain; and

means for providing, subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the verifying means comprises means for measuring the response of the nerve to the first level of ultrasonic energy.

17. The system of claim 15, comprising means for providing a compressive force to the nerve.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the verifying means comprising means for patient acknowledment that the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain.

19. The system of claim 15, comprising means for ultrasound imaging of the area proximate the nerve.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the ultrasound imaging means comprises means for identifying the focal zone.