Ultrasound apparatus and method for augmented clot lysis
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating acoustic fields in an anatomical portion of a human or animal body, comprising:
- at least one acoustic transducer for injecting a plurality of acoustic signals into the anatomical portion, and a signal generator generating said plurality of acoustic signals, said plurality of acoustic signals being characterized by respective frequencies, phases and amplitudes defining acoustic pressure peaks that continually vary temporally and spatially throughout said anatomical portion to avoid continuous standing waves in said anatomical portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for using ultrasound augmented with microbubbles, thrombolytic drugs or other agents for clot lysis wherein at least one ultrasound transducer generates a plurality of acoustic signals and time, amplitude, phase and frequency modulation of the signals provide more uniform power delivery with fewer gaps in the ultrasound field. Interference patterns from one or multiple transducers are constantly shifted in position. A phased array of transducers may generate a beam that is swept over the area to be treated. In another embodiment, an array of transducers may generate ultrasound at a number of slightly varying frequencies to produce an interference pattern that sweeps in and out through the targeted tissue. A single array may be used to produce both effects simultaneously or separately.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating acoustic fields in an anatomical portion of a human or animal body, comprising:
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at least one acoustic transducer for injecting a plurality of acoustic signals into the anatomical portion, and a signal generator generating said plurality of acoustic signals, said plurality of acoustic signals being characterized by respective frequencies, phases and amplitudes defining acoustic pressure peaks that continually vary temporally and spatially throughout said anatomical portion to avoid continuous standing waves in said anatomical portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for generating acoustic fields in an anatomical portion of a human or animal body, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one acoustic transducer for injecting a plurality of acoustic signals into the anatomical portion, and providing a signal generator generating said plurality of acoustic signals, said plurality of acoustic signals being characterized by respective frequencies, phases and amplitudes defining acoustic pressure peaks that continually vary temporally and spatially throughout said anatomical portion to avoid continuous standing waves in said anatomical portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification