Therapeutic endo-rectal probe and apparatus constituting an application thereof for destroying cancer tissue, in particular of the prostate, and preferably in combination with an imaging endo-cavitary-probe
First Claim
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1. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
- at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face;
a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; and
a flexible membrane mounted to said probe support member and surrounding said distal end of said probe support member and said transducer element for providing a fluid seal thereabout, and means extending from the proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for communicating fluid from said proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for expanding same, whereby, the efficiency of said ultrasound waves for therapeutic treatment is maximized.
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Abstract
A therapeutic endo-rectal probe comprises a piezoelectric transducer element mounted in a support member itself connected to a rigid guide means enabling endo-rectal insertion of the probe, the outside shape of the support member preferably being that of a disk having an outline that is for the most part substantially circular or substantially elliptical, thereby facilitating endo-rectal insertion.
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Citations
69 Claims
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1. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
- at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face;
a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; and
a flexible membrane mounted to said probe support member and surrounding said distal end of said probe support member and said transducer element for providing a fluid seal thereabout, and means extending from the proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for communicating fluid from said proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for expanding same, whereby, the efficiency of said ultrasound waves for therapeutic treatment is maximized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face;
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28. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face; and a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element, the shape of said front face of said transducer element is substantially circular with truncated longitudinally extending side portions, and wherein the ratio of the diameter of said front face of said transducer element in the longitudinal direction divided by the diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is in the range of 1 to 2.
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29. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face; a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; and
,an imaging endo-cavitary probe for generating an image of said focus for monitoring said therapeutic treatment, the proximal end of said probe support member comprises a rigid guide member, and wherein said imaging endo-cavitary probe is secured to said rigid guide member for axial movement relative thereto.
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30. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric transducer element for effecting therapeutic treatment and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face; a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; and an imaging endo-cavitary probe for generating an image of said focus for monitoring said therapeutic treatment, said piezoelectric transducer element having an acoustic window therein, and said imaging endo-cavitary probe being positioned beneath said acoustic window.
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31. A method for treating a tumor volume, comprising:
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providing an endo-rectal therapeutic probe having a longitudinal axis and incorporating emitting means for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus; providing an imaging endo-cavitary probe having a longitudinal axis for imaging an image plane; inserting the endo-rectal probe into the rectum until said emitting means confronts the tumor volume to be treated; inserting the imaging endo-cavitary probe into a non-rectal cavity until the image plane of the endo-cavitary probe includes said focus for observing the focus of the ultrasound waves emitted by said endo-rectal probe; and simultaneously displacing in translation the endo-rectal probe and the endo-cavitary probe for treating the entire volume of the tumor while observing the focus of the endo-rectal probe. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. Apparatus for treating a tumor volume, comprising:
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an endo-rectal therapeutic probe having a longitudinal axis and incorporating emitting means for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus, said endo-rectal probe being insertable into the rectum until said emitting means confronts the tumor volume to be treated; an imaging endo-cavitary probe having a longitudinal axis for imaging an image plane, said imaging endo-cavitary probe being insertable into a non-rectal cavity until the image plane of the endo-cavitary probe includes said focus for observing the focus of the ultrasound waves emitted by said endo-rectal probe; and means for simultaneously displacing in translation the endo-rectal probe and the endo-cavitary probe for treating the entire volume of the tumor while observing the focus of the endo-rectal probe. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus and effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said piezoelectric transducer element being of a substantially disk shape, having a rear face and front face, said front face defining a surface area also of substantially disk shape and disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for emitting said ultrasound waves in a direction transversely to said longitudinal axis and focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment at said focus; said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element of substantially disk shape for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and for maximizing the emitting surface area of said piezoelectric transducer element, whereby the efficiency of said transducer element in delivering said ultrasound waves at said focus is maximized; a flexible membrane mounted to said probe support member and surrounding said distal end of said probe support member and said transducer element for providing a fluid seal thereabout; and means extending from the proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for communicating fluid from said proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for expanding said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus and effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said piezoelectric transducer element being of substantially disk shape, having a rear face and a front face, said front face defining a surface area having substantially circular shape with truncated longitudinally extending side portions, said front face being dimensioned so that the ratio of the diameter of said front face of said transducer element in the longitudinal direction divided by the diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is in the range of 1 to 2; said front face being disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for emitting said ultrasound waves transversely to said longitudinal axis and focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment at said focus; and said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element of substantially disk shape for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the emitting surface area of said piezoelectric transducer element, whereby the efficiency of said transducer element in delivering said ultrasound waves at said focus is maximized.
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50. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said proximal end comprising a rigid guide member; at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus and effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said piezoelectric transducer element being of substantially disk shape, having a rear face and a front face; said front face being disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for emitting said ultrasound waves transversely to said longitudinal axis and focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment at said focus; an imaging endo-cavitary probe for generating an image of said focus for monitoring said therapeutic treatment, said endo-cavitary probe being secured to said rigid guide member for axial movement relative to said rigid guide member; said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element of substantially disk shape for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the emitting surface area of said piezoelectric transducer element, whereby the efficiency of said transducer element in delivering said ultrasound waves at said focus is maximized.
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51. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; at least one piezoelectric transducer element having an acoustic window therein and operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus and effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said piezoelectric transducer element being of substantially disk shape, having a rear face and a front face; said front face being disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for emitting said ultrasound waves transversely to said longitudinal axis and focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment at said focus; an imaging endo-cavitary probe for generating an image of said focus for monitoring said therapeutic treatment, said endo-cavitary probe being positioned beneath said acoustic window; said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element of substantially disk shape for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the emitting surface area of said piezoelectric transducer element, whereby the efficiency of said transducer element in delivering said ultrasound waves at said focus is maximized.
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52. A probe for insertion in a body cavity, comprising:
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a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end having a front face defining an opening therein, said support member defining a longitudinal axis; at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element being of a substantially disk shape having a rear face and a front face, and being mounted in said opening with the front face of said transducer element confronting the front face of said support member; said front face defining a surface area also of substantially disk shape which is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for emitting said ultrasound waves transversely to said longitudinal axis and focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment at said focus; said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element of substantially disk shape for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the emitting surface area of said piezoelectric transducer element, whereby the efficiency of said transducer in delivering said ultrasound waves at said focus is maximized.
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53. A method for treating a body zone located inside the body of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe for insertion in a body cavity near said body zone of said patient, said probe including at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus effective for therapeutic treatment of the body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and a rear face, and further including a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; providing a flexible membrane mounted to said probe support member and surrounding said distal end of said probe support member and said transducer element for providing a fluid seal thereabout and defining a chamber between said membrane and said probe support member; inserting said probe into said body cavity near said body zone to be treated, with said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element in front of said body zone to be treated, said focus being located in said body zone; providing means extending from the proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for communicating fluid from said proximal end of said probe support member to said membrane for expanding same; inflating said membrane after said probe is inserted into said body cavity near said body zone to be treated for moving said membrane into contact with the inside wall of the body cavity; and causing said piezoelectric transducer element to emit ultrasound waves effective for said therapeutic treatment at said focus in said body zone. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A method for treating a body zone located inside the body of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe for insertion in a body cavity near said body zone of said patient, said probe including a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; at least one piezoelectric transducer element mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said piezoelectric transducer element being operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a rear face and a front face, said front face having a substantially circular shape and truncated longitudinally extending side portions, wherein the ratio of the diameter of said front face of said transducer element in the longitudinal direction divided by the diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is in the range of 1 to 2, said front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment; said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; inserting said probe into said body cavity near said body zone to be treated with said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element in front of said body zone to be treated, said focus being located in said body zone; and causing said piezoelectric transducer element to emit ultrasound waves effective for said therapeutic treatment at said focus in said body zone.
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69. A method for treating a body zone located inside the body of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe for insertion in a body cavity near said body zone of said patient, said probe including at least one piezoelectric transducer element operative to emit ultrasound waves at a focus effective for therapeutic treatment of body tissue and having a predetermined maximum cross-sectional perimeter, said piezoelectric transducer element having a rear face and a front face, said front face defining a surface area for emitting ultrasound waves focused at a focus for effecting said therapeutic treatment, and further including a probe support member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, said piezoelectric transducer element having an acoustic window therein and being mounted on said probe support member at the distal end thereof, said distal end of said probe support member having a maximum cross-sectional perimeter conforming closely to said maximum cross-sectional perimeter of said piezoelectric transducer element for facilitating insertion of said probe in said body cavity and maximizing the surface area of said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element; providing an imaging endo-cavitary probe secured to said probe support member and positioning said endo-cavitary probe beneath said acoustic window for generating an image of said focus for monitoring said therapeutic treatment; inserting said probe into said body cavity near said body zone to be treated with said front face of said piezoelectric transducer element in front of said body zone to be treated, said focus being located in said body zone; and causing said piezoelectric transducer element to emit ultrasound waves effective for said therapeutic treatment at said focus in said body zone.
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Specification