Ultrasound thermotherapy probe
First Claim
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1. A method of providing thermal therapy to prostate tissue of a patient, comprising:
- providing a substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer for producing an energy field focused along a line;
locating said substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer substantially within an applicator housing, said substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer being dimensioned to have a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of said applicator housing; and
providing a power source for said ultrasound transducer to produce the line focused energy field for providing said thermal therapy to prostate tissue of a patient.
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Abstract
A thermotherapy method for treatment of prostate tissues. The thermotherapy method comprises the steps of locating a cylindrical ultrasound transducer substantially within an applicator housing, dimensioning the cylindrical ultrasound transducer to have a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of the applicator housing, and providing a power source for the ultrasound transducer to produce a focused energy field.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of providing thermal therapy to prostate tissue of a patient, comprising:
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providing a substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer for producing an energy field focused along a line; locating said substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer substantially within an applicator housing, said substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer being dimensioned to have a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of said applicator housing; and providing a power source for said ultrasound transducer to produce the line focused energy field for providing said thermal therapy to prostate tissue of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of applying thermal therapy to a tissue region of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an applicator housing near said tissue region; placing a substantially arcuate ultrasound transducer having a radius of curvature greater than a radius of curvature of said applicator housing and being capable of rotation in said applicator housing; supplying energy to said arcuate ultrasound transducer and producing a converging energy pattern distributed substantially along a line; and rotating said arcuate ultrasound transducer to position said converging energy line pattern upon tissue to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of producing a focused ultrasound energy pattern, comprising the steps of:
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determining a distance between a tissue region to be treated and an access path in said patient; selecting a substantially arcuate ultrasound transducer having a first radius of curvature generally corresponding to said distance; inserting said arcuate ultrasound transducer into an applicator having a smaller radius of curvature than said first radius of curvature; and supplying energy to said arcuate ultrasound transducer to produce a converging energy pattern distributed substantially along a line. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for providing thermal therapy to a tissue region of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a primary lumen and a secondary cooling lumen; providing an energy source capable of radiating a focused energy field having its highest energy levels distributed substantially along a line; and inserting said energy source into one of said lumens, said energy source comprising a substantially arcuate ultrasound transducer having a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of one of said lumens. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification