Therapy and imaging probe and therapeutic treatment apparatus utilizing it
First Claim
1. A therapy and imaging probe comprising:
- a probe body of an elongate shape defining a general axis;
at least one imaging transducer for transmitting imaging waves, said imaging transducer being mounted on first support means providing translational movement of said imaging transducer within said probe body, substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe body, between a withdrawn position and an extended position;
at least one therapy transducer for transmitting therapy waves, said therapy transducer being mounted on second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer within and relative to said probe body, about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe but offset with respect to said imaging transducer;
said second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer between a treatment position for which said imaging transducer is at a withdrawn position, and a withdrawn position for which said imaging transducer may be brought by translational movement to its extended position to occupy the place occupied by said therapy transducer in its treatment position; and
a direction of transmission of therapy waves by said therapy transducer in its treatment position being substantially identical to a direction of transmission of imaging waves by said imaging transducer in its extended position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The therapy and imaging probe of the invention comprises a probe body (20'"'"') of an elongate shape defining a general axis (X--X), one imaging transducer (40'"'"') for transmitting imaging waves, and one therapy transducer (30'"'"') for transmitting therapy waves. The imaging transducer is mounted on first support means providing translational movement of the imaging transducer within the probe, parallel to the general axis (X--X) of the probe, between a withdrawn position and an extended position. The therapy transducer is mounted on second support means providing rotation of the therapy transducer within the probe, about an axis of rotation (X1--X1) parallel to the general axis (X--X) of the probe but offset with respect to the imaging transducer, to allow rotation of the therapy transducer between a withdrawn position and a treatment position. In the withdrawn or non-active position of the therapy transducer, the imaging transducer may be brought by translational movement to its extended position to occupy the place occupied by the therapy transducer in its treatment position. Thus, the imaging transducer may form an image of a region for treatment by the therapy transducer. In the treatment position of the therapy transducer, the imaging transducer is at its withdrawn position. The therapy transducer, during the transmission of therapy waves, directly transmits the therapy waves in a direction substantially identical to the direction in which the imaging transducer transmits the imaging waves when imaging waves are being transmitted.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A therapy and imaging probe comprising:
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a probe body of an elongate shape defining a general axis; at least one imaging transducer for transmitting imaging waves, said imaging transducer being mounted on first support means providing translational movement of said imaging transducer within said probe body, substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe body, between a withdrawn position and an extended position; at least one therapy transducer for transmitting therapy waves, said therapy transducer being mounted on second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer within and relative to said probe body, about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe but offset with respect to said imaging transducer; said second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer between a treatment position for which said imaging transducer is at a withdrawn position, and a withdrawn position for which said imaging transducer may be brought by translational movement to its extended position to occupy the place occupied by said therapy transducer in its treatment position; and a direction of transmission of therapy waves by said therapy transducer in its treatment position being substantially identical to a direction of transmission of imaging waves by said imaging transducer in its extended position. - 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)
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28. A method for treating a target region inside the body of a mammal, comprising:
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providing a probe including; (i) a probe body of an elongate shape defining a general axis; (ii) an imaging transducer for transmitting imaging waves, said imaging transducer being mounted on first support means providing translational movement of said imaging transducer within said probe body, substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe body, between a withdrawal position and an extended position; and (iii) a therapy transducer for transmitting therapy waves, said therapy transducer being mounted on second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer within and relative to said probe body, about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said general axis of said probe body but offset with respect to said imaging transducer, said second support means providing rotation of said therapy transducer between a treatment position for which said imaging transducer is at a withdrawn position, and a withdrawn position for which said imaging transducer may be brought by translational movement to its extended position to occupy the place occupied by said therapy transducer in its treatment position; introducing said probe into a body cavity until said therapy transducer in its treatment position is substantially facing said target region; rotating said therapy transducer relative to said probe body in order to position it in said withdrawn position; moving said imaging transducer with a translational movement into said extended position to occupy the place occupied by said therapy transducer in its treatment position; forming an image with said imaging transducer of said target region to be treated by said therapy transducer allowing said target region to be viewed; withdrawing said imaging transducer into said withdrawn position; rotating said therapy transducer relative to said probe body to bring it to said treatment position; and delivering ultrasonic treatment waves during a predetermined interval necessary for performing said treatment. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification