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Method for detection of cavitations during medical application of high sonic energy

  • US 4,819,621 A
  • Filed: 02/24/1987
  • Issued: 04/11/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a method for predicting possible tissue damage caused by cavitation during the application of sonic high energy to the body of a patient, the sonic energy being generated extraneously by a sonic transducer and transmitted via a coupling means into the body of the patient, the sonic field traversing a spacial section internal to the body and being focused on a target zone for destruction of a target that is present within the target zone, the improvement comprising the steps of:

  • generating an acoustic test signal comprising at least one pulse having at least one known characteristic;

    applying the acoustic test signal to the target zone;

    receiving at least one reflection of the acoustic test signal from the target zone;

    converting the received at least one reflection into a reception signal;

    comparing the at least one known characteristic of the test signal against a corresponding characteristic of the reception signal;

    using the results of said comparison as an indication of whether or not a jump in acoustic impedance is present;

    generating a control signal when the results of said comparison indicate that an impedance jump is present; and

    using the presence or absence of the control signal as an indication of possible tissue injuries from cavitation caused by sonic high energy at the target zone.

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