IMAGE GUIDED HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND TREATMENT OF NERVES
First Claim
1. A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to provide therapy to a peripheral nerve of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning a HIFU therapy device comprising a HIFU transducer in proximity to the peripheral nerve;
(b) verifying a position of the focal point of the HIFU transducer relative to the peripheral nerve using imaging technology; and
(c) administering a dose of HIFU to the peripheral nerve to achieve a therapeutic effect.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversibly block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to provide therapy to a peripheral nerve of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning a HIFU therapy device comprising a HIFU transducer in proximity to the peripheral nerve; (b) verifying a position of the focal point of the HIFU transducer relative to the peripheral nerve using imaging technology; and (c) administering a dose of HIFU to the peripheral nerve to achieve a therapeutic effect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification