An ultrasonic system useful for providing imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring generally comprises an acoustic transducer assembly configured to enable the ultrasound system to perform the imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring functions. The acoustic transducer assembly comprises a single transducer that is operatively connected to an imaging subsystem, a therapy subsystem and a temperature monitoring subsystem. The ultrasound system may also include a display for imaging and temperature monitoring functions. An exemplary single transducer is configured such that when connected to the subsystems, the imaging subsystem can generate an image of a treatment region on the display, the therapy subsystem can generate high power acoustic energy to heat the treatment region, and the temperature monitoring subsystem can map and monitor the temperature of the treatment region and display the temperature on the display, all through the use of the single transducer. Additionally, the acoustic transducer assembly can be configured to provide three-dimensional imaging, temperature monitoring or therapeutic heating through the use of adaptive algorithms and/or rotational or translational movement. Moreover, a plurality of the exemplary single transducers can be provided to facilitate enhanced treatment capabilities.

Imaging, therapy, and temperature monitoring ultrasonic system

A method for computing array element amplitude and phase distributions for direct synthesis of multiple-focus field patterns using ultrasonic phased arrays is shown to be capable of producing desired field levels at a set of control points in the treatment volume. The complex pressure at any of these control points can be chosen to produce the desired power deposition at the point, including reducing the field level to avoid potential hot spots, thus providing a powerful tool for hyperthermia treatment planning. The method also allows the complex excitation vector to be weighted to reduce the dynamic range of the driving signals without disturbing the relative field levels at the control points, allowing near maximum power transfer from the array into the treatment volume. >

Multiple-focus ultrasound phased-array pattern synthesis: optimal driving-signal distributions for hyperthermia

The elastographic visualization and evaluation of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-induced lesions were investigated. The lesions were induced in vitro in freshly excised canine livers. The use of different treatment intensity levels and exposure times resulted in lesions of different sizes. Each lesion was clearly depicted by the corresponding elastogram as being an area harder than the background. The strain contrast of the lesion/background was found to be dependent on the level of energy deposition. A lesion/background strain contrast between 22.5 dB and 23.5 dB was found to completely define the entire zone of tissue damage. The area of tissue damage was automatically estimated from the elastograms by evaluating the number of pixels enclosed inside the isointensity contour lines corresponding to a strain contrast of 22.5, 23 and 23.5 dB. The area of the lesion was measured from a tissue photograph obtained at approximately the same plane where elastographic data were collected. The estimated lesion areas ranged between approximately 10 mm 2 and 110 mm 2 . A high correlation between the damaged areas as depicted by the elastograms and the corresponding areas as measured from the gross pathology photographs was found (r 2 5 0.93, p value < 0.0004, n 5 16). This statistically significant high correlation demonstrates that elastography has the potential to become a reliable and accurate modality for HIFU therapy monitoring. © 1999 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.

Elastographic characterization of HIFU-induced lesions in canine livers.

A non-invasive visual imaging system is provided, wherein the imaging system procures an image of a transducer position during diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. In addition, the system suitably provides for the transducer to capture patient information, such as acoustic, temperature, or ultrasonic images. For example, an ultrasonic image captured by the transducer can be correlated, fused or otherwise combined with the corresponding positional transducer image, such that the corresponding images represent not only the location of the transducer with respect to the patient, but also the ultrasonic image of the region of interest being scanned. Further, a system is provided wherein the information relating to the transducer position on a single patient may be used to capture similar imaging planes on the same patient, or with subsequent patients. Moreover, the imaging information can be effectively utilized as a training tool for medical practitioners.

Visual imaging system for ultrasonic probe

A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. The invention delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, whereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. The invention can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.

Method and system for treating cellulite

Absmct-Despite the interest in hyperthermia and the rather significant advantages that ultrasound possesses over other methods for localized heating, there remain only a few reports of human studies with welldocumented thermal dosimetry that permit the evaluation of the antitumor efficacy of ultrasound treatment. In this paper, these reports are discussed, and the biological basis for the application of ultrasound hyperthermia as an antitumor modality is presented. Further, clinical results involving the application of ultrasonic hyperthermia alone, and in conjuction with chemotherapy and radiation in 215 patients are reported. Overall objective response rates for ultrasoundalone,ultrasound with chemotherapy, and ultrasound with radiation therapy were 45 percent, 60 percent, and 66 percent, respectively. Of particular encouragement was the treatment of advanced primary breast cancer with ultrasoundcombined withchemotherapy, wherethe first seven wesexhibited a 100 percent overall response rate to therapy.

J.S. Kong

Papers

Human Cancer Treatment with Ultrasound