Delivery of theraputic ultrasound by two dimensional ultrasound array

• US 6,428,477 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Mason, Martin K
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lin, Jeoyuh
• Application Number:
  US09/523,588
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 601/3, 601/4, 600/437, 600/439, 600/407, 604/20, 604/458
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0052 using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0073 using multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0095 by modifying an excitation signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8922 the array being concentric or annular
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8925 the array being a two-dimensional transducer configuration, i.e. matrix or orthogonal linear arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8927 using simultaneously or sequentially two or more subarrays or subapertures
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8956 using frequencies at or above 20 MHz
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/899 Combination of imaging systems with ancillary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/346 using phase variation

Abstract

A fully steerable two-dimensional ultrasound array delivers a therapy by steering and selective focusing of beams. In some systems, the ultrasound array also includes an imaging functionality to simultaneously perform diagnostic imaging and delivery of a therapy. In one example, the two-dimensional ultrasound array includes a controller that controls beam forming and focusing to scan the focal point of the beam in a pattern within an identified structure of a image. Tissue is thus scanned using a sharply focused beam that is suitable for delivering a therapy such as a hyperthermia therapy or a therapy utilizing delivery of a pharmaceutical via microspheres. Imaging and therapy proceed either simultaneously or separately by operator selection. Simultaneous operation of imaging and therapy delivery are attained using a focused, scanned beam in which a focused beam that delivers intensity levels suitable for heating tissue or for bursting microspheres is pulsed. Reflected signals from the pulses are detected and used to create an image in the manner of conventional ultrasound imaging. Ultrasonic beams are sharply focused to generate intensity levels that are suitable for heating tissues in a hyperthermia application and bursting microspheres in a therapy utilizing microsphere-encased pharmaceuticals. The sharply focused echoes are delivered in pulses and reflections from the pulses are detected and used to create an ultrasound image.

Claims

1. An ultrasound device for controlling a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array comprising:

a signal transmitter, coupled to the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, that forms, steers, and selectively focuses ultrasonic beams to insonify a volume; and

a controller that controls the signal transmitter to deliver therapy to the volume.

2. An ultrasound device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a signal receiver, coupled to the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, including devices that detect echoes from the three-dimensional volume field; and

the controller controlling the signal transmitter and signal receiver to simultaneously form images and deliver a therapy to the three-dimensional field.

3. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing to scan a focal point of the ultrasonic beam in a pattern within an identified volume structure of a image.

4. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing to scan a field of view in a sharply focused beam that is suitable in resolution and intensity for simultaneous diagnostic imaging and delivery of therapy, the sharply focused beam being scanned throughout the imaged volume to have a uniform insonation.

5. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing to defocus the beam to match the cross-sectional size of the tissue-of-interest and direct the resulting broad beam to the tissue-of-interest, the broad beam being defocused to have a uniform insonation.

6. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing to deliver a therapy including a hyperthermia therapy or a therapy utilizing delivery of a pharmaceutical via microspheres.

7. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing to deliver pulsed ultrasound signals at intensity levels that heat tissue and burst microspheres when pulsed, the reflected pulses being detected and processed to form a diagnostic image.

8. An ultrasound device according to claim 2 wherein:

the controller is capable of controlling beam forming and focusing in two or three dimensions through an interrogation volume in the form of a plurality of geometries including a spherical geometry and an ellipsoidal geometry.

9. An ultrasound device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array.

10. An ultrasound device according to claim 1 further comprising:

an ultrasound signal acquisition circuit;

an ultrasound image display circuit, and

a processor.

11. A method of delivering an ultrasound therapy to a biological tissue comprising:

insonating the biological tissue in an ultrasonic scan of a selected field of view using a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array and a transmitter including devices that form, steer, and selectively focus ultrasonic beams in a three-dimensional volume field; and

delivering a therapy to the tissue-of-interest within the three-dimensional volume field with uniform insonation.

12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

insonating the biological tissue in the ultrasonic scan of the selected field of view using the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array and a receiver that detects echoes from the three-dimensional volume field;

imaging the biological tissue from the detected echoes; and

localizing a tissue-of-interest within the selected field of view.

13. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling delivery of a therapeutic substance to the tissue-of-interest including;

administering microspheres containing a pharmaceutical substance to a patient;

monitoring the microspheres during the imaging operation to determine whether the microspheres are present within the tissue-of-interest; and

rupturing the microspheres using ultrasound to release the therapeutic substance into the tissue-of-interest.

14. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling delivery of the therapy to the tissue-of-interest, the therapy being selected from among a hyperthermia therapy, a hyperthermia therapy using microspheres to enhance heating, a local delivery of a bioactive composition via microspheres, a hyperthermia therapy that enhances uptake of pharmaceuticals in the bloodstream, a hyperthermia therapy that enhances the transport rate of a thrombolytic substance.

15. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

scanning an ultrasonic beam focal point in a pattern within the identified tissue-of-interest to attain uniform insonation within the tissue-of-interest.

16. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to scan a field of view in a sharply focused beam that is suitable in resolution and intensity for simultaneous diagnostic imaging and delivery of therapy, the sharply focused beam being focused throughout the imaged volume to have a uniform insonation.

17. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to defocus the beam to match the cross-sectional size of the tissue-of-interest and direct the resulting broad beam to the tissue-of-interest, the broad beam being defocused to have a uniform insonation.

18. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to defocus the beam to match the cross-sectional size of the tissue-of-interest and direct the resulting broad beam to the tissue-of-interest, the broad beam being defocused to have a uniform insonation.

19. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to deliver a therapy including a hyperthermia therapy or a therapy utilizing delivery of a pharmaceutical via microspheres.

20. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to deliver pulsed ultrasound signals at intensity levels that heat tissue and burst microspheres when pulsed, the reflected pulses being detected and processed to form a diagnostic image.

21. A method according to claim 11 further comprising:

controlling beam forming and focusing to generate an interrogation volume in the form of a plurality of geometries including a spherical geometry and an ellipsoidal geometry.

22. An ultrasound device comprising:

means for insonating the biological tissue in an ultrasonic scan of a selected field of view using a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array and a transmitter including devices that form, steer, and selectively focus ultrasonic beams in a three-dimensional volume field; and

means for delivering a therapy to the tissue-of-interest within the three-dimensional volume field with uniform insonation.

23. An ultrasound device according to claim 22 further comprising:

means for insonating the biological tissue in the ultrasonic scan of the selected field of view using the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array and a receiver that detects echoes in the three-dimensional volume field;

means for imaging the biological tissue from the detected echoes; and

means for localizing a tissue-of-interest within the selected field of view.

24. An ultrasound device according to claim 22 further comprising:

means for controlling delivery of a therapeutic substance to the tissue-of-interest including;

means for administering microspheres containing a pharmaceutical substance to a patient;

means for monitoring the microspheres during the imaging operation to determine whether the microspheres are present within the tissue-of-interest; and

means for rupturing the microspheres using ultrasound to release the therapeutic substance into the tissue-of-interest.