Apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in torsional and transverse modes
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- moving an ultrasonic probe to a treatment site in a body such that the ultrasonic probe is in communication with a biological material;
producing a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration in a portion of the ultrasonic probe; and
tuning the transverse vibration into coincidence with the torsional vibration along the portion of the ultrasonic probe in which the transverse vibration is induced.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode and a transverse mode. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with a biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a component of force in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, thereby exciting a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis causing the ultrasonic probe to undergo both a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. The torsional vibration and the transverse vibration cause cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the biological material.
852 Citations
69 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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moving an ultrasonic probe to a treatment site in a body such that the ultrasonic probe is in communication with a biological material; producing a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration in a portion of the ultrasonic probe; and tuning the transverse vibration into coincidence with the torsional vibration along the portion of the ultrasonic probe in which the transverse vibration is induced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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moving an ultrasonic probe to a treatment site in a body such that the ultrasonic probe is in communication with a biological material; producing a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration in a portion of the ultrasonic probe; and applying a tension to the ultrasonic probe to tune the transverse vibration into coincidence with the torsional vibration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method comprising:
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moving an ultrasonic probe to a treatment site in a body such that the ultrasonic probe is in communication with a biological material; producing a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration in a portion of the ultrasonic probe; and bending the ultrasonic probe to tune the transverse vibration into coincidence with the torsional vibration. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A method comprising:
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placing an ultrasonic probe in communication with a biological material in a body; activating an energy source to produce an electric signal that drives a transducer coupled to the ultrasonic probe to produce a torsional vibration along a portion of the flexible probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe; and applying a tension to the flexible probe causing the transverse vibration to tune into coincidence with the torsional vibration. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A method comprising:
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placing an ultrasonic probe in communication with a biological material in a body; activating an energy source to produce an electric signal that drives a transducer coupled to the ultrasonic probe to produce a torsional vibration along a portion of the flexible probe, the torsional vibration inducing a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe; and bending the flexible probe causing the transverse vibration to tune into coincidence with the torsional vibration. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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Specification