Devices and methods for acoustic shielding

• US 8,857,438 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2011
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Original Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H., Emery, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US13/291,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20120111339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128849-857
• US Class Current: 128/846
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0445 by absorption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0454 by reflection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0472 against ultrasound energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/00 Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes eye inspection using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/10; devices for treatment of the eyes A61F9/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; optical systems in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/107 Protection against radiation, e.g. shielding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/44 Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/04 Protection of tissue around surgical sites against effects of non-mechanical surgery, e.g. laser surgery protection of eyes against laser radiation A61F9/022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018; visors for helmets A42B3/22; retractors A61B17/02; manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; appliances to aid invalids to move about A61H3/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/04 Eye-masks ; Devices to be worn on the face, not intended for looking through; Eye-pads for sunbathing eye-bandages A61F13/12; protective face-masks A41D13/11; protectors for shampooing A45D
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/045 Eye-shades or visors; Shields beside, between or below the eyes caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/04 Acoustic filters ; Acoustic resonators
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/168 Plural layers of different materials, e.g. sandwiches

Abstract

Acoustic shielding system and method for protecting and shielding non-targeted regions or tissues that are not intended to be treated by ultrasonic procedures from acoustic energy using a shield. In some embodiments, the shield comprises multiple layers made of one or more materials with one or more acoustic impedances. In some embodiments a multilayered shield includes materials with relatively different acoustic impedance levels. In some embodiments, the shield includes active components such as energy diversion devices, heating, cooling, monitoring, and/or sensing. In some embodiments, the shield is configured to protect an eye, mouth, nose or ear while allowing the ultrasound to treat the surrounding tissue. One embodiment of an eye shield is configured to fit under at least one eyelid and over a portion of the eye.

Claims

1. A biocompatible shield configured for selectively protecting tissue from acoustic energy comprising:

a first layer,

wherein the first layer comprises a first material with a first acoustic impedance and a first reflection coefficient of between 60-100%; and

a second layer in contact with and adjacent to the first layer,

wherein the second layer comprises a second material with a second acoustic impedance,

wherein the first acoustic impedance is at least ten thousand times greater than the second acoustic impedance.

2. The shield of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are configured to reduce acoustic transmission to a non-target region in a body of a subject.

3. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to be positioned within a subject'"'"'s eye.

4. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to be positioned between a subject'"'"'s eye and a source of said acoustic transmission.

5. The shield of claim 1, further comprising a third layer comprising a third material in contact with and adjacent to the second layer, the third material having a third acoustic impedance.

6. The shield of claim 5, wherein the third acoustic impedance is at least ten thousand times greater than the second acoustic impedance.

7. The shield of claim 1, wherein the first acoustic impedance is at least one hundred thousand times the second acoustic impedance.

8. The shield of claim 1, wherein said shield comprises stainless steel.

9. The shield of claim 5 wherein the first material comprises stainless steel, the second material comprises air, and the third material comprises stainless steel.

10. The shield of claim 5, wherein the second layer is sealed between the first layer and the third layer and is under at least partial vacuum.

11. The shield of claim 1, wherein said shield is configured to fit over a portion of an eye and underneath at least one eyelid.

12. The shield of claim 1, further comprising a manipulation device to aid in the insertion and removal of said shield from the body of a patient.

13. The shield of claim 12, wherein the manipulation device comprises a tool that is coupled to said shield.

14. The shield of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors configured to measure an amount of energy absorbed by the shield.

15. The shield of claim 1, further comprising an energy diversion device configured to remove or dissipate energy absorbed by the shield.

16. The shield of claim 1, further comprising one or more surface features comprise at least one of the group consisting of concave and convex features, the one or more surface features configured for a high reflection coefficient.

17. The shield of claim 16, wherein the one or more features produce an air pocket between the shield and tissue.