ULTRASOUND THERAPY HEAD WITH MOVEMENT CONTROL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A therapy head comprising:
- an enclosure having a window, said enclosure being adapted to be manipulated by hand;
at least one directional energy applicator suspended within said enclosure;
a first pivoting slider within the housing;
a first motor coupled to pivot the first pivoting slider;
a second pivoting slider within the housing intersecting the first pivoting slider at an intersection; and
a second motor coupled to pivot the second pivoting slider;
wherein the directional energy applicator is supported at the intersection of the sliders so that the energy applicator moves as the motors pivot the sliders and change their angle of intersection.
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Abstract
A therapy head for use in HIFU procedures is described. The therapy head has an enclosure with a window, an energy applicator and a means of moving the energy applicator within the enclosure. The therapy head uses motors and actuators to move the energy applicator, usually an ultrasound transducer, inside the enclosure. A controller is provided either internally or externally that allows the therapy head to identify and distinguish locations where the therapy head should be to radiate energy into a patient. The controller uses the motors and actuators to move the energy applicator into the desired locations.
95 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A therapy head comprising:
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an enclosure having a window, said enclosure being adapted to be manipulated by hand; at least one directional energy applicator suspended within said enclosure; a first pivoting slider within the housing; a first motor coupled to pivot the first pivoting slider; a second pivoting slider within the housing intersecting the first pivoting slider at an intersection; and a second motor coupled to pivot the second pivoting slider; wherein the directional energy applicator is supported at the intersection of the sliders so that the energy applicator moves as the motors pivot the sliders and change their angle of intersection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of delivering ultrasound energy to a body surface, said method comprising:
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engaging a hand held enclosure against a body surface; positioning the enclosure manually over one location on the body surface; and controlling a first motor and a second motor connected to a first rotational actuator and a second rotational actuator, respectively, to control the movement of an energy applicator according to a predetermined program within the hand held enclosure while the enclosure remains stationary relative to the body surface; wherein controlling the first motor rotates the first rotational actuator and controlling the second motor rotates the second rotational actuator to position the intersection of a pair of sliders carried by the actuators, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is selectively positioned over the body surface. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification