Method and system for forming an ultrasound image of a tissue while simultaneously ablating the tissue
First Claim
1. A system for forming an ultrasound image while ablating a tissue, said system comprising:
- a therapy system comprising means for generating a therapy current operative to ablate said tissue, and means for automatically interrupting the generation of therapy current;
a therapeutic delivery device connected to the therapy system and comprising a therapeutic electrode, the therapeutic electrode being responsive to the therapy current and operative to apply the therapy current to said tissue;
an ultrasonic imaging system for performing ultrasonic visualization during an automatic interruption of the generation of therapy current, said ultrasonic visualization comprising a detection phase;
an ultrasound delivery device connected to the ultrasonic imaging system and comprising an ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer being responsive to the ultrasonic imaging system; and
a communications link connected between the therapy system and the ultrasonic imaging system, the communications link carrying timing signals from at least one of the systems to the other to ensure that at least the detection phase of ultrasonic visualization is performed only during an automatic interruption in the application of therapy current to said tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for forming an ultrasound image of a tissue while simultaneously ablating the tissue in which the application of therapy current is sequenced with at least the ultrasonic detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process. In this way, no ultrasonic detection takes place while therapy current passes, and no therapy current passes while ultrasonic detection takes place. The sequencing can take place using a communication protocol between a therapy system controlling the application of therapy current and an ultrasonic imaging system controlling the ultrasonic visualization process. Depending on the communication protocol used, the therapy system and the ultrasonic imaging system can handoff control to one another or one system can have exclusive control over the other.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system for forming an ultrasound image while ablating a tissue, said system comprising:
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a therapy system comprising means for generating a therapy current operative to ablate said tissue, and means for automatically interrupting the generation of therapy current; a therapeutic delivery device connected to the therapy system and comprising a therapeutic electrode, the therapeutic electrode being responsive to the therapy current and operative to apply the therapy current to said tissue; an ultrasonic imaging system for performing ultrasonic visualization during an automatic interruption of the generation of therapy current, said ultrasonic visualization comprising a detection phase; an ultrasound delivery device connected to the ultrasonic imaging system and comprising an ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer being responsive to the ultrasonic imaging system; and a communications link connected between the therapy system and the ultrasonic imaging system, the communications link carrying timing signals from at least one of the systems to the other to ensure that at least the detection phase of ultrasonic visualization is performed only during an automatic interruption in the application of therapy current to said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 34, 35)
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9. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a therapy current to said tissue;
then(b) automatically interrupting application of therapy current;
then(c) performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process during step (b); and
then(d) automatically reapplying the therapy current. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing with an ultrasonic imaging system at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process;
then(b) communicating a first signal from the ultrasonic imaging system to a therapy system operative to generate a therapy current, the first signal allowing therapy current to be applied to the tissue and preventing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process from being performed during application of therapy current;
then(c) applying a therapy current to the tissue with the therapy system; and
then(d) communicating a second signal from the therapy system to the ultrasonic imaging system when a sufficient amount of heat is generated within the tissue for ablation to continue during a time when application of therapy current is interrupted, the second signal interrupting application of therapy current and allowing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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16. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing with an ultrasonic imaging system at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process;
then(b) communicating a first signal from the ultrasonic imaging system to a therapy system operative to generate a therapy current, the first signal allowing the therapy current to be automatically applied to the tissue and preventing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process from being performed during application of therapy current;
then(c) automatically applying a therapy current to the tissue with the therapy system; and
then(d) communicating a second signal from the ultrasonic imaging system to the therapy system when a new ultrasound image of the tissue is to be generated, the second signal automatically interrupting application of therapy current and allowing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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21. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a therapy current to the tissue with a therapy system;
then(b) communicating a first signal from the therapy system to an ultrasonic imaging system operative to perform at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process when a sufficient amount of heat is generated within the tissue for ablation to continue during an interruption in application of therapy current, the first signal interrupting application of therapy current and allowing at least an ultrasonic detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process to be performed;
then(c) performing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process with the ultrasonic imaging system; and
then(d) communicating a second signal from the therapy system to the ultrasonic imaging system when additional heat is needed to maintain a continued ablation of the tissue, the second signal allowing therapy current to be applied to the tissue and preventing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process from being performed during application of therapy current. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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22. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a therapy current to the tissue with a therapy system;
then(b) communicating a signal from the therapy system to an ultrasonic imaging system operative to perform at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process when a sufficient amount of heat is generated within the tissue for ablation to continue during an interruption of application of therapy current, the signal interrupting application of therapy current and allowing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process to be performed;
then(c) performing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process with the ultrasonic imaging system; and
then(d) reapplying the therapy current while continuing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process.
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23. A method for performing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process while ablating a tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a therapy current to the tissue with a therapy system;
then(b) communicating a signal from a therapy system to an ultrasonic imaging system operative to perform at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process when a sufficient amount of heat is generated within the tissue for ablation to continue during an interruption in application of therapy current, the signal providing the ultrasonic imaging system with a selected time period to complete at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process, interrupting application of therapy current during the performance of at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process, and allowing at least a detection phase of an ultrasonic visualization process to be performed;
then(c) performing at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process during interruption of therapy current with the ultrasonic imaging system, said at least the detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process being complete within the selected time period; and
then(d) reapplying the therapy current to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification