Disposable transducer seal

• US 7,311,679 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solta Medical, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Desilets, Charles S., Barrett, George, Quistgaard, Jens U., Darlington, Gregory Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US11/027,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20050154313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4, 600/439, 600/459, 606/1
• US Class Current: 601/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22045 fixed to the catheter; guiding tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4422 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4438 Means for identifying the diagnostic device, e.g. barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A transducer seal designed to seal an open aperture of a transducer housing for a therapeutic ultrasound procedure. The seal has a membrane, a retainer and a mating device for locking in place with the transducer housing. The membrane is essentially transparent to ultrasound energy while being stretched taut about the retainer. The transducer seal may be made in a disposable or re-usable form.

Claims

1. A HIFU therapy apparatus comprising:

a cup shaped housing containing a plurality of electronic control elements and a motor assembly, the cup shaped housing having an aperture;

a HIFU transducer contained within the cup shaped housing such that the transducer can be operated and moved within the housing through the electronic control elements and the motor assembly; and

a seal having a taut membrane substantially transparent to ultrasound energy and having a retainer for holding the membrane, the seal being releasably engaged to the housing and covering the aperture so as to form a water tight connection between the seal and the cup shaped housing when the cup shaped housing is inverted.

2. The device apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is a thermo-formable polyimide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer further comprises an electronic recognition device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said membrane is resistant to cleaning solutions and/or cleaning procedures.