Focused ultrasound for pain reduction

• US 7,553,284 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey J. Vaitekunas
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey J. Vaitekunas
• Inventors: Vaitekunas, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cassler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHTA, PARIKHA SOLANKI
• Application Number:
  US11/048,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 601/3, 600/439, 606/27, 606/32, 606/41, 514/816, 514/818
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

Methods and devices that provide ultrasonic energy used to cause one or more nerves to become dysfunctional. A nerve to be treated is placed in the focal zone of ultrasonic energy emitted by ultrasound transducer. A first level of ultrasonic energy is provided to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve. A verification is made that the desired nerve is being stimulated by the first level of ultrasonic energy. For example, the patient may be asked to confirm that the ultrasonically stimulated nerve corresponds to the pain that is affecting the patient. Subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of ultrasonic energy is delivered to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction.

Claims

1. A method of pain reduction, comprising:

providing an ultrasound transducer having a focal zone;

administering a first level of anesthesia to a patient, the first level of anesthesia sufficient to place the patient into a conscious state of sedation;

targeting the focal zone of the ultrasound transducer on a nerve of the patient;

providing ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasonic energy beginning at a zero or quiescent level, and increasing to a first level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve and insufficient to cause nerve dysfunction;

verifying the stimulated nerve is a nerve desired for the reduction of pain using a response of the, stimulated nerve from the first level of ultrasonic energy, wherein the response of the stimulated nerve is determined by the patient acknowledging via a conscious action that the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain;

recording the first level of ultrasonic energy provided;

associating the recorded first level of ultrasonic energy to a corresponding second level of ultrasonic energy, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause temporary or permanent nerve dysfunction;

administering, subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of anesthesia sufficient to place the patient into an unconscious state; and

providing, subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, the associated second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve comprises providing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer at a level sufficient to denature the nerve, thereby causing permanent nerve dysfunction.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising providing a compressive force to the nerve as the denatured nerve congeals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer is transcutaneously applied.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising generating an ultrasound image of the area proximate the nerve, wherein targeting the focal zone of the ultrasound transducer on the nerve comprises targeting the nerve using the ultrasound image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the recorded first level of ultrasonic energy to the second therapeutic level of ultrasonic energy comprises using the first level of ultrasonic energy to determine the second level of ultrasonic energy using a look-up table.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the recorded first level of ultrasonic energy to the second therapeutic level of ultrasonic energy comprises using the first level of ultrasonic energy to determine the second level of ultrasonic energy using an algorithmic calculation.

8. A method of pain reduction, comprising:

targeting the focal zone of an ultrasound transducer on a nerve of a patient;

administering a first level of anesthesia to the patient, the first level of anesthesia sufficient to place the patient into a conscious state of sedation;

providing ultrasonic energy to the nerve subsequent to administering the first level of anesthesia, the ultrasonic energy beginning at a zero or quiescent level, and increasing to a first level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve and insufficient to cause nerve dysfunction;

verifying the stimulated nerve is a nerve desired for the reduction of pain using a response of the stimulated nerve from the first level of ultrasonic energy, wherein the response of the stimulated nerve is determined by the patient acknowledging via a conscious action that the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain;

administering, subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of anesthesia sufficient to place the patient into an unconscious state; and

providing, subsequent to administering the second level of anesthesia, a second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction, the second level of ultrasonic energy determined using the first level of ultrasonic energy.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the second level of ultrasonic energy to the nerve comprises providing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer at a level sufficient to denature the nerve, thereby causing permanent nerve dysfunction.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising providing a compressive force to the nerve as the denatured nerve congeals.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer is transcutaneously applied.

12. The method of claim 8, comprising generating an ultrasound image of the area proximate the nerve, wherein targeting the focal zone of the ultrasound transducer on the nerve comprises targeting the nerve using the ultrasound image.