Multiple-angle switched high intensity focused ultrasound

• US 20090247911A1
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bioventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bioventures, LLC
• Inventors: Griffin, Robert J., Novak, Petr
• Application Number:
  US12/383,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20090247911A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A multiple-angle switched high intensity focused ultrasound device having at least two focused ultrasound transducers mounted in a frame so that the focal zones of all transducers intersect. Each of the transducers is independently driven from a radiofrequency (RF) generator. The RF driving signal is switched so that no more than one transducer is operated at a time. This allows shaping the temperature distribution in the target area by overlapping thermal contributions of each transducer.

Claims

1. A multiple-angle switched high intensity focused ultrasound device, comprising:

a frame;

at least two focused ultrasound transducers mounted in said frame such that the focal zones of all of said transducers intersect;

a radiofrequency (RF) generator providing an RF driving signal to each of said transducers so that no more than one of said transducers is operated at a time.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiofrequecy generator comprises at least two RF amplifiers, each of said RF amplifiers providing an RF driving signal to one of said transducers;

a function generator driving said RF amplifiers; and

a controller controlling said function generator.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a coupling bolus.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensing device.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said transducers comprise spherically-focused transducers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said transducers are disposed such that the focal zones of each transducer cross at 90 degrees to the focal zones of the other transducers.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiofrequency generator operates said driving signals so that periods of time occur when no transducer is operating.