Apparatus for thermal therapy of prostate gland with ultrasound energy
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
- a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway;
a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and
a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer;
wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland;
wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein only the first portion delivers energy so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland,wherein the first ultrasound transducer is scored such that power is only delivered to the first portion of the transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a prostate gland, comprising a support tube having a longitudinal passageway, a power lead channeled through the longitudinal central passageway and an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of the support tube. The ultrasound crystal is coupled to the power lead which provides the power to energize the ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland. The ultrasound crystal further includes inactivated portions for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient. A sealant is disposed in contact with the ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy of the prostate gland.
75 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein only the first portion delivers energy so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland, wherein the first ultrasound transducer is scored such that power is only delivered to the first portion of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube; a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the means for directing the generated ultrasound energy further comprises means for activating only the first portion so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein only the first portion delivers energy so that treatment is directed to a selected region of the prostate gland; and an outer electrode surface surrounding the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; and a second ultrasound transducer adjacent to the first ultrasound transducer along the support member, the first and second ultrasound transducers being electrically isolated from each other, the second ultrasound transducer coupled to a second power lead such that the first and second ultrasound transducers may be powered independently. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; and an outer cover disposed over the first ultrasound transducer, and a fluid disposed between the transducer and the outer cover, the fluid providing efficient coupling of the ultrasound energy into the prostate gland. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; and a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to direct the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; wherein the first ultrasound transducer includes a first portion and a second portion; and wherein the first portion and the second portion are individually powered so that either the first portion or the second portion provide specific radial direction for the delivery of ultrasound energy to a selected region of the prostate gland. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube; a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; wherein the first ultrasound transducer comprises an outer electrode surface; and wherein the means for directing the generated ultrasound energy comprises removing a section of the outer electrode surface to form the second portion of the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, the apparatus comprising:
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a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a first ultrasound transducer disposed on at least a portion of the support tube; a power lead coupled to the first ultrasound transducer to generate ultrasound energy for thermal therapy of the prostate gland; means for directing the generated ultrasound energy to selectively treat a region of the prostate gland; and a second ultrasound transducer, and a means for controlling delivery of energy between the first and second ultrasound transducers to control the longitudinal extent of the ultrasound energy distribution.
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Specification