System and method for ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment

• US 8,460,193 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2010
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H
• Primary Examiner(s): Luong, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/792,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20100241035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4, 600/407, 600/437, 600/439, 604/22
• US Class Current: 600/437
• 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, the method comprising:

operating a transducer to emit acoustical energy within a frequency range from about 10 MHz to about 30 MHz;

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

focusing a first acoustical energy to a first depth in said region of interest;

ablating a first portion of said region of interest;

creating a first lesion in said region of interest;

focusing a second acoustical energy to a second depth in said region of interest;

maintaining said coupling at least one acoustic matching layer during and between said focusing said first energy and said focusing said second energy;

ablating a second portion of said region of interest; and

creating a second lesion in said region of interest.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sparing tissue below said region of interest.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising imaging at least a portion of said region of interest.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying said at least a portion of said region of interest.

5. The method according to claim 1, further sparing intervening tissue between said extracorporeal surface and at least one of said first lesion and said second lesion.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

focusing a third acoustical energy to a third depth in said region of interest;

ablating a third portion of said region of interest; and

creating a third lesion in said region of interest.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

maintaining said coupling at least one acoustic matching layer during and between said focusing said first energy, and said focusing said second energy, and said focusing said third energy.