Systems and methods for ultrasound applicator station keeping
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting tissue movement relative to an ultrasound applicator, comprising:
- emitting first ultrasonic pulses from at least three ultrasound transducers to a target point in the tissue;
detecting first ultrasonic echoes with the ultrasound transducers;
emitting second ultrasonic pulses from the ultrasound transducers;
detecting second ultrasonic echoes with the ultrasound transducers;
comparing the first and second ultrasonic echoes;
determining the amount of relative tissue movement using the comparison and directional vectors between the ultrasound transducers and the target point.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for maintaining the alignment of a therapeutic ultrasound applicator to a target site are described. Overlapping ultrasound signals are sent to a target tissue site and the echo detected. An algorithm is described for detecting tissue movement relative to the applicator based on comparison of the echo with a previously stored echo.
152 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of detecting tissue movement relative to an ultrasound applicator, comprising:
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emitting first ultrasonic pulses from at least three ultrasound transducers to a target point in the tissue;
detecting first ultrasonic echoes with the ultrasound transducers;
emitting second ultrasonic pulses from the ultrasound transducers;
detecting second ultrasonic echoes with the ultrasound transducers;
comparing the first and second ultrasonic echoes;
determining the amount of relative tissue movement using the comparison and directional vectors between the ultrasound transducers and the target point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of detecting tissue movement relative to an ultrasound applicator, comprising:
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emitting a first ultrasonic pulse from a first ultrasound transducer to a target point in the tissue;
detecting a first ultrasonic echo at a second and third ultrasound transducer;
emitting a second ultrasonic pulse from either the second or third ultrasound transducer to the target point;
detecting a second ultrasonic echo at the first ultrasound transducer and the non-transmitting second or third ultrasound transducer;
comparing the echoes to previously recorded echoes; and
determining the amount of relative tissue movement using the comparison and directional vectors between the ultrasound transducers and the target point. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting tissue movement relative to an ultrasound applicator, comprising:
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emitting an ultrasonic pulse from a first ultrasound transducer to a target point in the tissue;
detecting an ultrasonic echo at the first ultrasound transducer and at a second and third ultrasound transducer;
comparing the echo to a previously recorded echo; and
determining the amount of relative tissue movement using the comparison and directional vectors between the ultrasound transducers and the target point. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification