Method and system for ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment

• US 7,758,524 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luong; Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/245,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20060084891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4, 600/407, 600/437, 600/439, 604/22
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0052 using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A non-invasive ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment method and system are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a high-frequency ultrasound transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient such that the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of the patient can be treated. An exemplary high-frequency ultrasound transducer system comprises a control system and a transducer configured to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. The high-frequency ultrasound transducer may be configured to operate at higher frequencies and controlled power levels to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. For example, higher frequencies within the range from approximately 20 MHz to 500 MHz or more may be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient, said method comprising:

operating a transducer comprising a transduction device within a frequency range between approximately 20 MHz and 500 MHz;

coupling at least one acoustical matching layer of said transducer to an extracorporeal surface above a region of interest;

providing acoustical energy to said region of interest within at least one of an epidermis layer and a dermis layer;

ablating a portion of said region of interest; and

creating a lesion in said region of interest.

2. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises an application device coupled to said transduction device and configured to couple acoustical energy into said region of interest.

3. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises an applicator tip.

4. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 2, wherein said application device comprises a transparent, solid standoff.

5. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 3, wherein said applicator tip comprises a non-transparent disposable device.

6. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 3, wherein said applicator tip comprises a length less than approximately 1 mm.

7. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is configured for moving a treatment region below said superficial region through controlled cooling of said transducer.

8. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 7, wherein said controlled cooling comprises circulating water proximate an applicator tip of said transducer.

9. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 7, wherein said controlled cooling comprises electrical cooling of an applicator tip of said transducer.

10. The method for providing ultrasound treatment according to claim 9, wherein said electrical cooling of said applicator tip of said transducer comprises use of at least one of thermoelectric modules, heat sinks and temperature sensors.

11. A method for providing treatment to a patient, the method comprising:

coupling at least one acoustical matching layer of an ultrasound transducer to an extracorporeal surface of a patient;

emitting energy from said transducer into a region of interest below said extracorporeal surface of said patient, said region of interest having an upper boundary at a depth greater than 0.2 mm and lower boundary at a depth of approximately 3 mm;

ablating tissue in a portion of said region of interest;

creating a lesion in said tissue; and

sparing intervening tissue between said extracorporeal surface and said lesion.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising monitoring a temperature in said region of interest.