Methods to deliver high intensity focused ultrasound to target regions proximate blood vessels
First Claim
1. A method of non-invasively applying heat to a region proximate to a blood vessel target, the method comprising:
- generating an imaging ultrasonic beam adapted to image the blood vessel target, the blood vessel target having a puncture site;
receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and in response producing a corresponding output signal;
processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel target;
detecting the presence of a nerve structure adjacent to the blood vessel target by applying an ultrasonic pulse to the treatment zone;
applying a therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to the treatment zone, wherein the ultrasound energy beam is a high intensity focused ultrasound energy beam; and
moving the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to over-scan the treatment zone with therapeutic ultrasonic energy,wherein the imaging ultrasonic beam, the ultrasonic pulse, and the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam are transcutaneously applied.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for applying heat to a region proximate a blood vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method can include generating an imaging ultrasound beam adapted to image a blood vessel target and receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasound beam. The method can also include producing an output signal in response to the reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel. Therapeutic energy can be applied to the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam can be moved to over-scan the treatment zone. Other methods are also disclosed.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of non-invasively applying heat to a region proximate to a blood vessel target, the method comprising:
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generating an imaging ultrasonic beam adapted to image the blood vessel target, the blood vessel target having a puncture site; receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and in response producing a corresponding output signal; processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel target; detecting the presence of a nerve structure adjacent to the blood vessel target by applying an ultrasonic pulse to the treatment zone; applying a therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to the treatment zone, wherein the ultrasound energy beam is a high intensity focused ultrasound energy beam; and moving the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to over-scan the treatment zone with therapeutic ultrasonic energy, wherein the imaging ultrasonic beam, the ultrasonic pulse, and the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam are transcutaneously applied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16)
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8. A method of non-invasively applying heat to a region proximate to a blood vessel target, the method comprising:
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directing an imaging ultrasonic beam proximate the blood vessel target, the blood vessel target having a puncture site; receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam; processing the reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel target; detecting the presence of a nerve structure adjacent to the blood vessel target by applying an ultrasonic pulse to the treatment zone; applying a high intensity focused ultrasound beam to the treatment zone; and moving the high intensity focused ultrasound beam to over-scan the treatment zone with therapeutic ultrasonic energy, wherein the imaging ultrasonic beam, the ultrasonic pulse, and the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam are transcutaneously applied. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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17. A method of applying heat to a region proximate to a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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generating an imaging ultrasonic beam adapted to image a blood vessel target; receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and in response producing a corresponding output signal; processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel target; detecting the presence of a nerve structure by applying an ultrasonic pulse to the treatment zone, the ultrasonic pulse having an intensity that is less than 1,000 Watts per square centimeter; applying a therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to the treatment zone, wherein the ultrasound energy beam is a high intensity focused ultrasound energy beam; and moving the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam to over-scan the treatment zone with therapeutic ultrasonic energy, wherein the imaging ultrasonic beam, the ultrasonic pulse, and the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam are transcutaneously applied. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of treating a patient, the method comprising:
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directing an imaging ultrasonic beam proximate a blood vessel; receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam; processing the reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel; detecting the presence of a nerve structure by applying an ultrasonic pulse to the treatment zone, the ultrasonic pulse having an intensity that is less than 1,000 Watts per square centimeter; applying a high intensity focused ultrasound beam to the treatment zone; and moving the high intensity focused ultrasound beam to over-scan the treatment zone with therapeutic ultrasonic energy, wherein the imaging ultrasonic beam, the ultrasonic pulse, and the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam are transcutaneously applied. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification