Energetic modulation of nerves
First Claim
1. A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding a blood vessel of a patient comprising:
- a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements;
a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both;
a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support the patient, the first platform is moveable relative to the second platform, and the piezoelectric elements are next to a middle region of the second platform;
a generator configured to generate output power for one or more of the piezoelectric elements, wherein the generator is configured to generate the power at a power level for energizing the piezoelectric elements to provide a treatment effect, wherein the power level is calculated to account for a cooling effect due to blood flow; and
a programmable processor configured to process a signal sensed by at least one of the piezoelectric elements to determine whether the signal is reflected from the blood vessel or not;
wherein the controller is configured to control the piezoelectric array to deliver energy to nerve tissues at different respective positions that at least partially surround the blood vessel.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding an artery of a patient includes a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both, a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support at least a part of the patient, a programmable generator configured to generate output power for one or more of the piezoelectric elements, and a programmable processor configured to process a signal sensed by at least one of the piezoelectric elements.
438 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding a blood vessel of a patient comprising:
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a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both; a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support the patient, the first platform is moveable relative to the second platform, and the piezoelectric elements are next to a middle region of the second platform; a generator configured to generate output power for one or more of the piezoelectric elements, wherein the generator is configured to generate the power at a power level for energizing the piezoelectric elements to provide a treatment effect, wherein the power level is calculated to account for a cooling effect due to blood flow; and a programmable processor configured to process a signal sensed by at least one of the piezoelectric elements to determine whether the signal is reflected from the blood vessel or not; wherein the controller is configured to control the piezoelectric array to deliver energy to nerve tissues at different respective positions that at least partially surround the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for delivering energy to nerves surrounding a blood vessel in a patient comprising:
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a first ultrasound transducer configured to apply therapeutic energy at an energy level that provides a treatment effect, wherein the energy level is calculated to account for a cooling effect due to blood flow, wherein the first ultrasound transducer is configured to apply the therapeutic energy across the blood vessel to heat nerves on at least two sides of the blood vessel; a receiver configured to receive reflected energy resulting from an ultrasound pulse; and a processor configured to receive first data from the receiver at a first time point, receive second data from the receiver at a second time point, compare the first data with the second data, and provide an output signal to a mover to control a position of the first ultrasound transducer; wherein the processor is further configured to identify the blood vessel using the received reflected energy. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a patient comprising:
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a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both; a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled, and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support the patient, the first platform is moveable relative to the second platform, and the piezoelectric elements are located next to a middle region of the second platform; a generator configured to generate output power for energizing one or more of the piezoelectric elements to affect a function of one or more renal nerves next to a blood vessel, wherein the output power is calculated to account for a cooling effect due to blood flow in the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification