Systems and methods for delivering ultrasound energy

• US 20080167556A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TIMI 3 Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TIMI 3 Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Todd A., Suorsa, Veijo T., Horzewski, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/012,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167556A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0073 using multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Systems and methods deliver ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transducer having an impedance subject to variations. The systems and methods electrically couple an ultrasound generator to the ultrasound transducer to deliver ultrasound energy.

Claims

1. A system comprising

an ultrasound transducer,

an ultrasound generator coupled to the ultrasound transducer for operation,

a use register sized and configured to be carried by the ultrasound transducer, the use register comprising a memory field that registers, according to preprogrammed rules, a prescribed copyright notice, and

a use monitoring controller sized and configured to be carried by the ultrasound generator and to be coupled to the use register to control delivery of ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transducer according to the preprogrammed rules comprising a preprogrammed rule that compares the prescribed copyright notice in the memory field to a prescribed content and disables use of the ultrasound transducer if the prescribed content is not present in the memory field.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the ultrasound transducer is sized and configured to transcutaneously apply ultrasound energy to the thoracic cavity.

3. A system according to claim 1

wherein the ultrasound generator applies to the ultrasound transducer a power density not exceeding 3 watts/cm2 at a maximum total power output of no greater than 200 watts operating at a fundamental therapeutic frequency not exceeding 500 kHz, whereby the application of ultrasound energy increases the blood flow of the individual.

4. A system according to claim 1

further including a strap assembly to stabilize the ultrasound transducer on a chest during application of ultrasound energy.

5. A method comprising

providing an ultrasound transducer

providing an ultrasound generator

coupling a use register to the ultrasound transducer comprising a memory field that registers, according to preprogrammed rules, a prescribed copyright notice, and

coupling a use monitoring controller to the ultrasound generator to control delivery of ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transducer according to a preprogrammed rule that compares the prescribed copyright notice in the first memory field to a prescribed content and disables use of the ultrasound transducer if the prescribed content is not present in the memory field.

6. A method according to claim 5

wherein the ultrasound energy delivered to the ultrasound transducer is transcutaneously applied to a targeted tissue region.