Methods and apparatus for image-guided ultrasound delivery of compounds through the blood-brain barrier
First Claim
1. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain, the method comprising:
- A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging,B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, andC. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location a compound from the bloodstream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Image-guide methods and apparatus for ultrasound delivery of compounds through the blood-brain barrier to selected locations in the brain target a selected location in the brain and applying ultrasound to effect in the tissues and/or fluids at that location a change detectable by imaging. At least a portion of the brain in the vicinity of the selected location is imaged, e.g., via magnetic resonance imaging, to confirm the location of that change. A compound, e.g., a neuropharmaceutical, in the patient'"'"'s bloodstream is delivered to the confirmed location by applying ultrasound to effect opening of the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, to induce uptake of the compound there.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, and C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location a compound from the bloodstream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for delivering a compound to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the method comprising:
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A. introducing a contrast agent into the patient'"'"'s bloodstream, at least in a vicinity of the selected location in the brain, B. applying ultrasound to the selected location to open the blood-brain barrier and, thereby, induce uptake of the contrast agent there, C. taking a radiologic image of at least a portion of the brain to confirm the location to which ultrasound was delivered, D. introducing the compound into the patient'"'"'s bloodstream at least in a vicinity of the confirmed location, and E. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound there.
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18. An apparatus for delivering a compound to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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A. an ultrasound source, B. targeting means, coupled to the ultrasound source, for applying ultrasound to the selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, C. imaging means for generating a radiologic image of at least a portion of the brain to confirm the location of that change, and D. delivery means, coupled to the ultrasound source, for applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound there. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for delivering a compound to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the method comprising,
A. an ultrasound source, B. targeting means, coupled to the ultrasound source, for applying ultrasound to the selected location to open the blood-brain barrier and, thereby, induce uptake of the contrast agent there, C. imaging means for taking a radiologic image of at least a portion of the brain to confirm the location to which ultrasound was delivered, and D. delivery means, coupled to the ultrasound source, for applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound there.
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32. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to (i) induce a change at that location detectable by imaging, and (ii) open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound at that location, and B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of the change detectable by imaging. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for delivering a compound to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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A. an ultrasound source, B. targeting/delivery means, coupled to the ultrasound source, for applying ultrasound to the selected location in the brain to (i) effect a change at that location detectable by imaging, and (ii) open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound there, and C. imaging means for generating a radiologic image of at least a portion of the brain to confirm the location of the change detectable by imaging. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, C. further confirming that location by a change in central nervous system function of the patient, D. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound at that location.
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53. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect a change in a central nervous system function of the patient, B. confirming that location by a change in that central nervous system function, and C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound at that location.
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54. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to (i) induce a change at that location detectable by imaging, and (ii) open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound at that location, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of the change detectable by imaging, and C. further confirming that location by a change in central nervous system function of the patient.
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55. A method for delivering a compound from the bloodstream to a selected location in the brain of a patient, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to (i) a change in a central nervous system function of the patient, and (ii) open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake of the compound at that location, and B. confirming that location by detecting a change in that central nervous system function.
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56. A method for treating at least one of a neurological and a neurologically-related disorder, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location of a compound in the bloodstream.
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57. A method for treating at least one of a neurological and a neurologically-related disorder, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location of a compound in the bloodstream.
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58. A method for modification of neurologic and neurologically-related activity, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location of a compound in the bloodstream.
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59. A method for functional neurosurgery, the method comprising:
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A. applying ultrasound to a selected location in the brain to effect at that location a change detectable by imaging, B. generating a radiologic image of at least a portion in the brain to confirm the location of that change, C. applying ultrasound to the confirmed location in the brain, or a location based thereon, to open the blood-brain barrier at that location and, thereby, induce uptake at that location of at least a selective cytotoxin in the bloodstream.
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Specification