Devices for providing acoustic hemostasis

• US 5,993,389 A
• Filed: 11/22/1995
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Focus Surgery
• Original Assignee: THS International, Inc. (Takai Hospital Supply Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Crum, Lawrence A., Driscoll, Edward C. Jr., DeMarta, Stan, Law, Wing K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US08/562,280
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 128/660.03, 128/661.01, 128/661.08-661.09, 128/638, 601/2-4, 600/439, 600/411, 600/427, 600/447, 600/454, 600/455, 600/371
• US Class Current: 600/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12004 for haemostasis, for prevention of bleeding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/485 involving measuring strain or elastic properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0065 Concave transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for the remote coagulation of blood using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are provided. A remote hemostasis method comprises identifying a site of internal bleeding and focusing therapeutic ultrasound energy on the site, the energy being focused through an intervening tissue. An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprises a focused therapeutic ultrasound radiating surface and a sensor for identifying a site of internal bleeding, with a registration means coupled to the radiating surface and the sensor to bring a focal target and the bleeding site into alignment. The sensor generally comprises a Doppler imaging display. Hemostasis enhancing agents may be introduced to the site for actuation by the ultrasound energy.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising:

a radiating surface which applies focused therapeutic ultrasound energy to a target volume, the target volume being separated from the radiating surface by a therapy depth to produce remote hemostasis;

a sensor which identifies a site of internal bleeding; and

a registration mechanism coupled to the sensor and the radiating surface to align the target volume and the site.

2. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a therapy depth varying mechanism coupled to the radiating surface.

3. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the radiating surface comprises a phased array, and wherein the depth varying mechanism comprises a phase controller.

4. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the phased array comprises an annular array.

5. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pulsed ultrasound imaging transducer.

6. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a display coupled to the imaging transducer for providing Doppler imaging of the site.

7. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensor further comprises a tissue displacement mechanism, the apparatus further comprising a elasticity imaging display coupled to the sensor.

8. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the sensor for isolating a vibrational signal of vascular breaches.

9. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a display for providing angiographic imaging of the site.

10. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the registration mechanism comprises a mechanical linkage between the radiating surface and the sensor.

11. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in 1, wherein the registration mechanism comprises a position indication system coupled to at least one of the radiating surface and the sensor.

12. An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising:

a pulsed ultrasound imaging transducer which identifies a site of internal bleeding;

an ultrasound radiating surface which focuses therapeutic energy at a target volume to produce remote hemostasis; and

a display coupled to the imaging transducer and to the radiating surface, the display indicating a relative position of the target volume and the internal bleeding site.

13. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radiating surface comprises a phased array having a selectable therapy depth between the radiating surface and the target volume, and wherein the display indicates any difference in depth between the selected therapy depth and the site.

14. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a structure which carries the imaging transducer and the radiating surface, wherein a translation of the structure relative to the site causes the display to indicate repositioning of the site relative to the target volume.

15. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the display comprises a display for providing Doppler colorflow imaging.

16. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 15 further comprising means for providing feedback on regions of coagulated blood.

17. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a tissue displacement mechanism coupled to the imaging transducer, wherein the display provides an elasticity image.

18. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising means for providing feedback on both regions of coagulated blood and regions of cauterized tissue.

19. A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a coagulation memory coupled to the radiating surface and the display so that the display indicates coagulated regions.