Component ultrasound transducer

• US 20050154314A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Quistgaard, Jens U.
• Application Number:
  US11/027,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20050154314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22008 used or promoted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4438 Means for identifying the diagnostic device, e.g. barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0039 using microbubbles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0065 Concave transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0073 using multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0625 Annular array
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0637 Spherical array

Abstract

An ultrasound transducer having multiple focal zones is described. In one embodiment there is an ultrasound transducer manufactured as a single piece but having two or more focal zones. In a second embodiment there is a transducer assembly combining a high frequency and low frequency transducer. In a third embodiment there is an interchangeable assembly allowing for different ultrasound transducers to be used based on procedural needs. Variations of each embodiment are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An ultrasound transducer split into two or more equal size sections wherein each said section has a discrete focal point.

2. The transducer of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound transducer is a therapeutic transducer.

3. The transducer as described in claim 1, wherein said sections are cut from a single transducer die.

4. The transducer of claim 1 being a hemispherical transducer.

5. The transducer of claim 1 being a flat annular array transducer.

6. The transducer of claim 1, wherein said focal points lay in a single axis.

7. A transducer assembly comprising:

a first focused ultrasound transducer operating at a high frequency for causing bubble formation in adipose tissue; and

a second ultrasound transducer operating at low frequency for collapsing bubbles formed by said first ultrasound transducer.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said high frequency transducer and said low frequency transducer are operable between 1 to 1000 watts.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said low frequency transducer is unfocused.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said first and second ultrasound transducers are pulse wave transducers.

11. An interchangeable electronic medical instrument assembly comprising:

a receptacle having a plurality of sockets;

a plurality of electronic medical instruments having a common style of electronic communication plug for engaging said plurality of sockets, said plurality of electronic medical instruments having an electronic identity; and

a medical appliance being in electronic communication with said receptacle and having at least one signal generator, a data I/O bus, and a power supply wherein said medical appliance can detect and identify each electronic medical instrument through said electronic communication plug when said plugs are engaged in said sockets, and control each said electronic medical instrument according to a set of operation parameters.

12. The assembly as described in claim 11, wherein said plurality of electronic medical instruments are transducers.

13. The assembly as described in claim 12, wherein said plurality of electronic medical instruments are ultrasound transducers.

14. The assembly as described in claim 11, wherein said plurality of electronic medical instruments are sensors.

15. The assembly as described in claim 11, wherein said plurality of electronic medical instruments are a first high intensity focused ultrasound transducer, a second imaging ultrasound transducer.

16. The assembly as described in claim 15 further comprising a third thermal sensor and a fourth optical sensor.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said fourth optical sensor is a tracking device.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said fourth optical sensor is a photo detector.

19. The assembly as described in claim 11, wherein said receptacle and said plurality of electronic medical instruments are isolated within a sealable housing.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said sealable housing further comprises a means for moving said receptacle.