Apparatus and Methods for Delivering Acoustic Energy to Body Tissue

• US 20100049101A1
• Filed: 10/26/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chopra, Gopal K.
• Application Number:
  US12/605,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20100049101A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• 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

Apparatus for delivering acoustic energy to a target site includes a structure and a transducer secured to the structure, the transducer having a surface configured to be placed on a tissue. The structure comprises a channel located adjacent the transducer, the channel adapted for carrying cooling fluid.

Claims

1. A method for performing ultrasound therapy in a target tissue region of a patient, the method comprising:

placing a transducer on a tissue surface;

delivering a blood thinning agent to a target tissue region underlying the tissue surface;

delivering acoustic energy from the transducer to the target tissue region thereby causing dilatation of a vessel in the target tissue region; and

cooling the tissue surface to remove heat generated from the delivered acoustic energy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue surface comprises a skin surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue surface comprises dura tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue surface a surface of an internal organ.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivered acoustic energy is at a frequency between about two MHz and about ten MHz.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the target tissue region comprises a brain vessel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording a neurological signal before or during the delivery of acoustic energy.