Method and assembly for performing ultrasound surgery using cavitation
First Claim
1. A method for delivering substances to a selected treatment volume of a patient, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume, wherein the microbubbles are associated with the substances to be delivered;
expanding the treatment volume to fully admit the microbubbles therein; and
cavitating the plurality of microbubbles with an ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to deliver the substances in a controlled manner within the treatment volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and assembly are provided which use cavitation induced by an ultrasound beam for creating a controlled surgical lesion in a selected treatment volume of a patient, such as an internal body cavity or organ. First, a plurality of microbubbles are provided in the treatment volume. Preferably, the threshold for cavitation of microbubbles in the treatment volume is lowered compared with the threshold for cavitation in surrounding tissues. The expected location of the surgical lesion within the treatment volume may be previewed, and then the microbubbles in the treatment volume are cavitated with the ultrasound beam to create the controlled surgical lesion. In addition, substances can be associated with the microbubbles such that cavitation of the microbubbles delivers the substances to the treatment volume. Preferably, the creation of the surgical lesion at the expected lesion location is then verified. Using the method and assembly of the present invention, the cavitation threshold within the treatment volume is made predictable, and a low frequency ultrasound beam may be used to cavitate the microbubbles within the treatment volume without causing damage to surrounding tissues.
291 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for delivering substances to a selected treatment volume of a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume, wherein the microbubbles are associated with the substances to be delivered;
expanding the treatment volume to fully admit the microbubbles therein; and
cavitating the plurality of microbubbles with an ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to deliver the substances in a controlled manner within the treatment volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An ultrasound assembly for delivering substances to a selected treatment volume of a patient, the assembly comprising:
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means for providing a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume, wherein the microbubbles are associated with the substances to be delivered;
means for expanding the treatment volume to fully admit the microbubbles therein;
a therapeutic transducer for generating and directing an ultrasound beam of energy in the treatment volume; and
a controller for controlling the transducer so that the transducer generates and directs the ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to deliver the substances in a controlled manner within the treatment volume. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for creating a surgical lesion in a selected treatment volume of a patient, the method comprising:
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injecting a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume;
expanding the treatment volume to fully admit the microbubbles therein; and
cavitating the plurality of microbubbles with an ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to create the surgical lesion in a controlled manner within the treatment volume. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. An ultrasound assembly for creating a surgical lesion in a selected treatment volume of a patient, the assembly comprising:
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means for injecting a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume;
means for expanding the treatment volume to fully admit the microbubbles therein;
a therapeutic transducer for generating and directing an ultrasound beam of energy in the treatment volume; and
a controller for controlling the transducer so that the transducer generates and directs the ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to create the surgical lesion in a controlled manner within the treatment volume. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method for delivering substances to a selected treatment volume of a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume and in a volume external to the treatment volume, wherein the microbubbles are associated with the substances to be delivered, the microbubbles having a threshold for cavitation;
controlling the microbubbles in the external volume to create a differential threshold for cavitation between the external volume and the treatment volume; and
cavitating the plurality of microbubbles in the treatment volume with an ultrasound beam of sufficient energy at an appropriate frequency to deliver the substances in a controlled manner within the treatment volume. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification