Methods and apparatus for intracranial ultrasound delivery
First Claim
1. A method for delivering ultrasound energy to a patient'"'"'s intracranial space, the method comprising:
- forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull to access a target location;
placing an introducer device into the at least one hole to a treatment location within the target location;
advancing at least one ultrasound device having a distal portion through the introducer device, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasound device contains at least one transducer to allow transmission of ultrasound, and the distal portion can be moved to various locations within the intracranial space;
positioning the distal portion at a selected location within the intracranial space;
transmitting ultrasound energy at frequencies between 10 KHz and 10 MHz from the ultrasound device for therapeutic treatment; and
transmitting and directing the ultrasound energy to a blood clot in the patient'"'"'s brain at the target location that resides in an intracranial space of the patient'"'"'s brain, wherein the blood clot is located outside a blood vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for delivering ultrasound energy to a patient'"'"'s intracranial space involves forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull, advancing at least one ultrasound delivery device at least partway through the hole(s), and transmitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound delivery device(s). According to various embodiments, ultrasound delivery devices may be advanced into the epidural space, one or both ventricles and/or an intracerebral space of the patient'"'"'s brain. In alternative embodiments, one or multiple holes may be formed in the skull, and any number of ultrasound delivery devices may be used. Intracranial ultrasound delivery may be used in diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of ischemic stroke, head trauma, atherosclerosis, perfusion disorders and other acute or chronic neurological conditions.
59 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for delivering ultrasound energy to a patient'"'"'s intracranial space, the method comprising:
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forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull to access a target location; placing an introducer device into the at least one hole to a treatment location within the target location; advancing at least one ultrasound device having a distal portion through the introducer device, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasound device contains at least one transducer to allow transmission of ultrasound, and the distal portion can be moved to various locations within the intracranial space; positioning the distal portion at a selected location within the intracranial space; transmitting ultrasound energy at frequencies between 10 KHz and 10 MHz from the ultrasound device for therapeutic treatment; and transmitting and directing the ultrasound energy to a blood clot in the patient'"'"'s brain at the target location that resides in an intracranial space of the patient'"'"'s brain, wherein the blood clot is located outside a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification