COMPONENT ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER

• US 20080200813A1
• Filed: 04/29/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Quistgaard, Jens U.
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22008 used or promoted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4438 Means for identifying the diagnostic device, e.g. barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0039 using microbubbles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0065 Concave transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0073 using multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0625 Annular array
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0637 Spherical array

Abstract

An ultrasound transducer having multiple focal zones is described. In one embodiment there is an ultrasound transducer manufactured as a single piece but having two or more focal zones. In a second embodiment there is a transducer assembly combining a high frequency and low frequency transducer. In a third embodiment there is an interchangeable assembly allowing for different ultrasound transducers to be used based on procedural needs. Variations of each embodiment are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A medical ultrasound system comprising:

a transducer assembly having a first focused ultrasound transducer operating at a frequency above 1 MHz, and a second ultrasound transducer operating at a frequency below 1 MHz; and

a controller having a high frequency signal generator forming a high frequency subsystem, a first wave form generator and a first amplifier for driving said first focused ultrasound transducer, the high frequency subsystem operating between 100-1000 watts with pulse durations less than 100 ms, and a low frequency signal generator forming a low frequency subsystem, the low frequency signal generator driving said second ultrasound transducer in pulse mode;

wherein said first and second ultrasound transducers operate together so said first transducer creates bubbles and said second transducer causes said bubbles to collapse.

2. The system of claim 21, wherein said second transducer is focused.