TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND ABLATION PROBE
First Claim
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1. A transrectal ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a probe body carrying an ultrasound transducer;
an anisotropic balloon member defining a cavity configured for receiving the probe body; and
a tube associated with an outer surface of the anisotropic balloon member, the tube being configured for venting of rectal gas.
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Abstract
Transrectal ultrasound probes, systems and related methods. A probe includes an anisotropic balloon that defines a cavity for receiving a probe body that carries an ultrasound transducer. A vent tube is attached to or integral with, an outer surface of the anisotropic balloon. The balloon is structured to have inflation and elasticity characteristics that allow air bubbles between the balloon and rectal wall to be pushed away to form an improved acoustic interface while allowing bowel gas to be vented through the vent tube.
74 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A transrectal ultrasound probe, comprising:
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a probe body carrying an ultrasound transducer; an anisotropic balloon member defining a cavity configured for receiving the probe body; and a tube associated with an outer surface of the anisotropic balloon member, the tube being configured for venting of rectal gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A transrectal ultrasound probe, comprising:
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a probe body carrying an ultrasound transducer for treating or ablating tissue; a balloon member defining a cavity configured for receiving the probe body, wherein a thickness of a middle portion of the balloon member is less than a thickness of portions of the balloon member adjacent the middle portion; a tube conformable with an outer surface of the balloon member and being configured for venting of rectal gas; and a temperature sensor associated with the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of ablating tissue of a patient, comprising:
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inserting a probe into a rectum of the patient, the probe including a probe body carrying an ultrasound transducer, a balloon member defining a cavity configured for receiving the probe body, and a tube conformable with an outer surface of the balloon member; activating the ultrasound transducer; and ablating tissue using ultrasound energy emitted by the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification