Methods for selectively dissolving and removing materials using ultra-high frequency ultrasound
First Claim
1. A method of tissue dissolution comprising:
- providing a device comprised of at least one acoustical transducer and least one highly elastic layer having an outer boundary and providing an impedance mismatch interposed between the at least one acoustical transducer and a local region of the tissue;
placing the device so that the at least one highly elastic layer of the at least one transducer is in contact with a surface of the local region of the tissue;
generating by the at least one acoustical transducer, a plurality of acoustical waves comprising at least one series, wherein each acoustical wave is within an ultra-high frequency range; and
applying the at least one series of the generated plurality of acoustical waves, wherein each acoustical wave possesses sufficient amplitude for the at least one series to dissolve the local region of the tissue via the at least one highly elastic layer;
whereby the local region of the tissue is dissolved.
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Abstract
The present invention provides processes and apparatus for selectively dissolving and removing unwanted solid and semi-solid materials and the like, within a highly localized region utilizing ultra-high energy acoustical waves having a frequency in the range above 50 MHz, for example from about 50 MHz to about 100 GHz. The invention apparatus includes a piezoelectric transducer that is modified to increase the amplitude of acoustical waves of a given frequency without increase in power to the system. The invention and apparatus have important applications in surgical procedures for the treatment of atherosclerotic plaque, prostate disorders, cancers, orthopedic and cosmetic surgery, various types of orthopedic surgery, including atheroscopic surgery, and the like. The present invention is also useful in a wide variety of non-surgical applications, including industrial processes, wherein materials are desired to be selectively removed in a very localized region.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of tissue dissolution comprising:
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providing a device comprised of at least one acoustical transducer and least one highly elastic layer having an outer boundary and providing an impedance mismatch interposed between the at least one acoustical transducer and a local region of the tissue;
placing the device so that the at least one highly elastic layer of the at least one transducer is in contact with a surface of the local region of the tissue;
generating by the at least one acoustical transducer, a plurality of acoustical waves comprising at least one series, wherein each acoustical wave is within an ultra-high frequency range; and
applying the at least one series of the generated plurality of acoustical waves, wherein each acoustical wave possesses sufficient amplitude for the at least one series to dissolve the local region of the tissue via the at least one highly elastic layer;
whereby the local region of the tissue is dissolved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of tissue dissolution comprising:
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providing a device comprised of at least one acoustical transducer and least one highly elastic layer having an outer boundary and providing an impedance mismatch interposed between the at least one acoustical transducer and a local region of the tissue;
placing the device so that the at least one highly elastic layer of the at least one transducer is in contact with a surface of the local region of the tissue;
generating by the at least one acoustical transducer, a plurality of acoustical waves comprising at least one series, wherein each acoustical wave is within an ultra-high frequency range; and
applying the at least one series of the generated plurality of acoustical waves, wherein each acoustical wave possesses sufficient amplitude for the at least one series to dissolve the local region of the tissue via the at least one highly elastic layer;
wherein the at least one series of the generated plurality of acoustical waves are in durations of ten to 100 cycles divided by the frequency;
whereby the local region of the tissue is dissolved.
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Specification