Method and system to synchronize acoustic therapy with ultrasound imaging
First Claim
1. A method for synchronizing non-imaging ultrasound waves and ultrasound imaging waves produced by an ultrasound imaging system, so at least a portion of an ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound imaging system is free from interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves, comprising the steps of:
- (a) producing an output signal in response to receiving scattered ultrasound imaging waves independently of the ultrasound imaging system;
(b) manipulating the output signal to generate a synchronization signal; and
(c) using the synchronization signal to selectively control generation of the non-imaging ultrasound waves, such that at least a portion of the ultrasound image is free from interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Interference in ultrasound imaging when used in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is avoided by employing a synchronization signal to control the HIFU signal. Unless the timing of the HIFU transducer is controlled, its output will substantially overwhelm the signal produced by ultrasound imaging system and obscure the image it produces. The synchronization signal employed to control the HIFU transducer is obtained without requiring modification of the ultrasound imaging system. Signals corresponding to scattered ultrasound imaging waves are collected using either the HIFU transducer or a dedicated receiver. A synchronization processor manipulates the scattered ultrasound imaging signals to achieve the synchronization signal, which is then used to control the HIFU bursts so as to substantially reduce or eliminate HIFU interference in the ultrasound image. The synchronization processor can alternatively be implemented using a computing device or an application-specific circuit.
246 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for synchronizing non-imaging ultrasound waves and ultrasound imaging waves produced by an ultrasound imaging system, so at least a portion of an ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound imaging system is free from interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves, comprising the steps of:
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(a) producing an output signal in response to receiving scattered ultrasound imaging waves independently of the ultrasound imaging system;
(b) manipulating the output signal to generate a synchronization signal; and
(c) using the synchronization signal to selectively control generation of the non-imaging ultrasound waves, such that at least a portion of the ultrasound image is free from interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for synchronizing non-imaging ultrasound waves and ultrasound imaging waves, so that interference in an ultrasound image due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves is limited to only a portion of the ultrasound image, comprising the steps of:
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(a) using a transducer that generates non-imaging ultrasound waves to detect scattered ultrasound imaging waves, the transducer that generates non-imaging ultrasound waves producing an output signal that is indicative of the ultrasound imaging waves;
(b) manipulating the output signal to generate the synchronization signal;
(c) using the synchronization signal to selectively control generation of the non-imaging ultrasound waves by the transducer that generates non-imaging ultrasound waves, such that interference in the ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound imaging waves due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves is limited to only a portion of the ultrasound image. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for using ultrasound to simultaneously image a target area and apply therapeutic ultrasound waves to a treatment site disposed within said target area, comprising the steps of:
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(a) using an ultrasound imaging system to generate an ultrasound image of the target area;
(b) without using the ultrasound imaging system, detecting the scattered ultrasound imaging waves generated by the ultrasound imaging system, producing an output signal that is indicative of the ultrasound imaging waves;
(c) manipulating the output signal to generate a synchronization signal; and
(d) using the synchronization signal to selectively control a transducer that generates the therapeutic ultrasound waves, such that;
(i) the synchronization signal ensures that at least a portion of the ultrasound image is free from interference due to the therapeutic ultrasound waves; and
(ii) a focal point of the therapeutic ultrasound transducer is able to be visualized in the ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound imaging system without being obscured by interference caused by the therapeutic ultrasound waves as they induce a therapeutic effect at the treatment site. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A system for enabling non-imaging ultrasound to be applied to a target area while simultaneously imaging the target area with an ultrasound imaging system, to enable real-time ultrasound imaging of the target area to be achieved while applying non-imaging ultrasound to the target area, comprising:
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(a) a receiver configured to detect scattered ultrasound imaging waves generated by an ultrasound imaging transducer included within the ultrasound imaging system, independently of the ultrasound imaging system, producing an output signal that is indicative of the ultrasound imaging waves; and
(b) a synchronization processor logically coupled to the receiver, the synchronization processor being configured to generate a synchronization signal to be used to control a transducer employed for producing non-imaging ultrasound waves, so that at least a portion of an ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound imaging transducer does not include interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A synchronization processor configured to enable non-imaging ultrasound waves to be applied to a target area while imaging the target area with an ultrasound imaging system, and to prevent a real-time ultrasound image of the target area from being obscured due to interference caused by the non-imaging ultrasound waves, comprising:
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(a) an input configured to be coupled to an output signal from a receiver that is independent of the ultrasound imaging system, but which is configured to detect scattered ultrasound imaging waves generated by an ultrasound imaging transducer that is included within the ultrasound imaging system, the receiver producing the output signal, which is indicative of the ultrasound imaging waves; and
(b) an output configured to be coupled to control activation of a non-imaging transducer, so that the non-imaging transducer is synchronized to produce non-imaging ultrasound waves in regard to production of the ultrasound imaging waves by the ultrasound imaging transducer, so that at least a portion of an ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound imaging transducer does not include interference due to the non-imaging ultrasound waves produced by the non-imaging transducer. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A therapeutic ultrasound system configured for automatic synchronization with an ultrasound imaging system, to enable real-time ultrasound imaging of a target area to be achieved while applying therapeutic ultrasound to the target area, comprising:
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(a) a therapeutic transducer configured to produce therapeutic ultrasound waves;
(b) a receiver configured to detect scattered ultrasound imaging waves generated by an ultrasound imaging transducer included within the ultrasound imaging system, the receiver producing an output signal that is indicative of the ultrasound imaging waves independently of the ultrasound imaging system, and (c) a synchronization processor logically coupled to the receiver, the synchronization processor being configured to generate a synchronization signal used to control activation of the therapeutic transducer in response to the output signal, so that the therapeutic transducer is synchronized in producing the therapeutic ultrasound waves in regard to activation of the ultrasound imaging transducer, and so that at least a portion of an ultrasound image generated with the ultrasound imaging transducer does not include interference due to therapeutic ultrasound waves produced by the therapeutic transducer. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification