System and method for treatment of a prostate with a phase fresnel probe
First Claim
1. A system for treating a prostate, comprising:
- an acoustic transducer for generating acoustic waves;
an acoustic carrier coupled to said transducer and having an outer surface and opposing first and second ends; and
a phase fresnel zone formed in the outer surface of the acoustic carrier adjacent the first end of the acoustic carrier and extending at least partially around the outer surface, said acoustic carrier being adapted to conduct acoustic waves from said acoustic transducer to said phase fresnel zone.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for treating a prostate includes an acoustic carrier, a phase fresnel zone in a section of the acoustic carrier, and an acoustic transducer. The phase fresnel zone is formed in the acoustic carrier adjacent a first end of the acoustic carrier and extends at least partially around the outer surface of the acoustic carrier. An acoustic transducer is coupled to a second end of the acoustic carrier. In treating the prostate, which surrounds a urethra, the acoustic carrier is inserted into the urethra and positioned so that the phase fresnel zone is situated in a region of the urethra surrounded by the prostate. Acoustic waves are transmitted into the second end of the acoustic carrier and the phase fresnel zone focuses the acoustic waves to constructively interfere at the location in the prostate. By moving the acoustic carrier, the phase fresnel zone may be moved along at least a portion of the region of the urethra surrounded by the prostate while the acoustic waves are being transmitted.
54 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for treating a prostate, comprising:
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an acoustic transducer for generating acoustic waves; an acoustic carrier coupled to said transducer and having an outer surface and opposing first and second ends; and a phase fresnel zone formed in the outer surface of the acoustic carrier adjacent the first end of the acoustic carrier and extending at least partially around the outer surface, said acoustic carrier being adapted to conduct acoustic waves from said acoustic transducer to said phase fresnel zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for treating a prostate surrounding a urethra, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an acoustic carrier having an outer surface in the urethra, the acoustic carrier having opposing first and second ends with a phase fresnel zone formed in the acoustic carrier adjacent to the first end and extending at least partially around the outer surface of the acoustic carrier, the carrier being positioned during the insertion such that the fresnel zone is situated in a region of the urethra surrounded by the prostate; supplying acoustic waves to the first end of the acoustic carrier; and transmitting acoustic waves from the first end of the acoustic carrier into the second end of the acoustic carrier so that the phase fresnel zone focuses the acoustic waves to constructively interfere at a location in the prostate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification