Energetic modulation of nerves
First Claim
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1. A system for treatment of one or more nerves next to a blood vessel leading to a kidney comprising:
- an ultrasound energy source for placement outside a patient, wherein the ultrasound energy source comprises an array of ultrasound transducers; and
a programmable controller, configured to control both a position of the ultrasound energy source relative to the patient, and a phasing for one or more elements in the array of ultrasound transducers, to sequentially deliver focused ultrasound to a plurality of target areas next to the blood vessel leading to the kidney;
wherein the controller is configured to update a position of one of the plurality of target areas to correlate with a current vessel position;
wherein the controller is configured to control the ultrasound energy source to place an energy focus at a first one of the target areas in accordance with a vessel position at a first time instance, and to place the energy focus at a second one of the target areas in dependence of the vessel position at a second time instance; and
wherein the vessel position at the first time instance is different from the vessel position at the second time instance.
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Abstract
A method to deliver focused ultrasound energy from a position outside a skin of a patient to a nerve surrounding a blood vessel, includes placing the patient on a table in a substantially flat position, moving a transducer into a position inferior to ribs, superior to an iliac crest, and lateral to a spine of the patient, maintaining the transducer at the position relative to the patient, and delivering focused ultrasound energy through the skin of the patient without traversing bone, wherein the direction of the focused ultrasound is directed from a lower torso to an upper torso of the patient.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for treatment of one or more nerves next to a blood vessel leading to a kidney comprising:
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an ultrasound energy source for placement outside a patient, wherein the ultrasound energy source comprises an array of ultrasound transducers; and a programmable controller, configured to control both a position of the ultrasound energy source relative to the patient, and a phasing for one or more elements in the array of ultrasound transducers, to sequentially deliver focused ultrasound to a plurality of target areas next to the blood vessel leading to the kidney; wherein the controller is configured to update a position of one of the plurality of target areas to correlate with a current vessel position; wherein the controller is configured to control the ultrasound energy source to place an energy focus at a first one of the target areas in accordance with a vessel position at a first time instance, and to place the energy focus at a second one of the target areas in dependence of the vessel position at a second time instance; and wherein the vessel position at the first time instance is different from the vessel position at the second time instance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device to apply focused ultrasound to a patient comprising:
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a transducer configured to deliver focused ultrasound to a plurality of target areas next to a blood vessel leading to a kidney, wherein the transducer comprises a plurality of individually phaseable elements, and a membrane for coupling the ultrasound to the patient; a first mechanical mover for positioning the transducer; and a controller for both (1) controlling the first mechanical mover to position the transducer relative to the patient, and (2) controlling the phaseable elements, to change a position of a focus of the transducer, wherein the controller is a component of the device; wherein the controller is configured to update a position of one of the plurality of target areas to correlate with a current vessel position; wherein the controller is configured to control the transducer to place an energy focus at a first one of the target areas in accordance with a vessel position at a first time instance, and to place the energy focus at a second one of the target areas in dependence of the vessel position at a second time instance; and wherein the vessel position at the first time instance is different from the vessel position at the second time instance. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification