ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER WITH IMPROVED IMAGING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ultrasound transducer for providing HIFU therapy and imaging comprising:
- a crystal having a generally concave first surface and a generally convex second surface, the second surface of the crystal being formed to include a recessed portion;
a matching layer coupled to the first surface of the crystal, the matching layer having a smooth outer surface;
a therapy electrode coupled to the second surface of the crystal adjacent the recessed portion; and
an imaging electrode located in the recessed portion formed in the second surface of the crystal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An acoustic transducer, and in particular to an ultrasound transducer, provides high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”) therapy to tissue and images the tissue.
225 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An ultrasound transducer for providing HIFU therapy and imaging comprising:
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a crystal having a generally concave first surface and a generally convex second surface, the second surface of the crystal being formed to include a recessed portion; a matching layer coupled to the first surface of the crystal, the matching layer having a smooth outer surface; a therapy electrode coupled to the second surface of the crystal adjacent the recessed portion; and an imaging electrode located in the recessed portion formed in the second surface of the crystal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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13. A method of improving an image detected by an ultrasound transducer which provides HIFU therapy and imaging, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a crystal having a generally concave first surface and a generally convex second surface; applying a matching layer to the first surface of the crystal to optimize a therapy function of the transducer, the matching layer having a smooth outer surface; forming a recessed portion in the second surface of the crystal; positioning a therapy electrode on the second surface of the crystal adjacent the recessed portion; and positioning an imaging electrode within the recessed portion of the second surface of the crystal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating an ultrasound transducer to provide HIFU therapy and imaging, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a single crystal having a first surface and a second surface; oscillating the single crystal at a first frequency for a therapy function of the transducer; and oscillating the single crystal at a second frequency for an imaging function of the transducer, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification