EXTENDED DEPTH-OF-FOCUS HIGH INTENSITY ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER
First Claim
1. An ultrasound system comprising:
- a multi-element acoustic therapy transducer including a plurality of transducer elements, wherein each of the plurality of transducer elements is configured to produce a different focal zone along an axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Compound ultrasonic transducers are disclosed that include multiple transducer elements configured to have overlapping or consecutive depths of focus in an axial direction. Embodiments of such transducers can be composed of a concentric disc- and one or more annular-type elements and each element has a different radius of curvature to produce multiple focal zones (depths-of focus) upon excitation. Exemplary embodiments include a concentric disc- and one annular-type elements, with each element has a different radius of curvature, which are referred to herein as a dual-focus therapeutic ultrasound transducer (DFTUT). Method of directing ultrasonic energy to a target area and thereby aligning ultrasonic focal zones (depths-of focus) are also disclosed. Two or more transducer elements can each be configured to produce a different focal zone at the target area, such as targeted tissue.
71 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An ultrasound system comprising:
a multi-element acoustic therapy transducer including a plurality of transducer elements, wherein each of the plurality of transducer elements is configured to produce a different focal zone along an axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of aligning ultrasonic depths-of field, the method comprising:
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providing a multi-element acoustic therapy transducer including a plurality of transducer elements, wherein each of the plurality of transducer elements is configured to produce a different focal zone along an axis; and controlling the transducer to produce an ultrasonic output along the axis, wherein the ultrasonic depths-of field are aligned along the axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification