A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Methods of using high intensity focused ultrasound to form an ablated tissue area containing a plurality of lesions

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

An interchangeable transducer for use with an ultrasound medical system having a keyless adaptor and capable of operating in a wet environment. The interchangeable transducer has an adaptor for engaging a medical system, an ultrasound transducer and additional electronics to provide a self-contained insert for easy replacement and usage in a variety of medical applications. A slip ring spacer is also disclosed, the slip ring spacer for use with a pancake slip ring having a base and flange configuration to form one or more channels around each contact ring of the pancake slip ring. The channels provide fluid isolation around each connector to help reduce electronic cross talk and contact corrosion between the connector pads of the slip ring while the slip ring is immersed in a wet environment.

Slip ring spacer and method for its use

A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.

Vascular image co-registration

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

Cells are destroyed within a subcutaneous tissue region using a transducer disposed externally adjacent to a patient's skin. The transducer emits acoustic energy that is focused at a linear focal zone within the tissue region, the acoustic energy having sufficient intensity to rupture cells within the focal zone while minimizing heating. The transducer may include one or more transducer elements having a partial cylindrical shape, a single planar transducer element coupled to an acoustic lens, or a plurality of linear transducer elements disposed adjacent one another in an arcuate or planar configuration. The transducer may include detectors for sensing cavitation occurring with the focal zone, which is correlated to the extent of cell destruction. A frame may be provided for controlling movement of the transducer along the patient's skin, e.g., in response to the extent of cell destruction caused by the transducer.

Systems and methods for ultrasound assisted lipolysis

A focused ultrasound system includes a transducer array including a plurality of sub-arrays, each sub-array defining an acoustic emission surface and including a plurality of transducer elements thereon. A mechanical controller is coupled to the sub-arrays that includes actuators for moving the sub-arrays to adjust an orientation of the acoustic emission surfaces of respective sub-arrays to facilitate steering of acoustic energy emitted by the transducer elements towards a target tissue region. Drive circuitry provides drive signals to the transducer elements, whereby the transducer elements emit acoustic energy from their respective acoustic emission surfaces to ablate the target region, such as a tumor within a patient's brain.

Systems and methods for steering a focused ultrasound array

Systems and methods for focussing an ultrasound energy beam transmitted from an array of transducer elements located outside the body through a non-uniform tissue medium, such as a skull, to a location (e.g., a tumor) located inside the body by monitoring a signal representing reflected portions of the beam at a desired focal point or zone through a portion of the medium that does not significantly distort the reflected signal. In one embodiment, a focussed ultrasound system includes a plurality of transmitting transducer elements (15) configured to deliver respective energy waves from locations outside the skull to a focal zone within the skull, the energy waves collectively comprising an energy beam. The system further includes an ultrasound detector (16) having a fixed position relative to the transmitting elements, the detector configured to receive a signal comprising a reflected portion of the beam along a line-of-sight axis through a portion of the skull. A controller (20) is coupled to the transmitter and detector, the controller configured to calculate the intensity of the reflected portion of the beam along the axis based on the timing of the received signal and then adjust the transmission of one or more of the transmitting elements based on the calculated intensity of the reflected portion of the beam along the axis.

Systems and methods for focussing an acoustic energy beam transmitted through non-uniform tissue medium

Apparatus and methods for use in a diagnostic ultrasound system are disclosed. A display device has a first window for displaying live ultrasound images and a second window for displaying a reference cine image. The reference cine image is an image captured prior to the currently displayed live ultrasound images. The images of the first and second windows are synchronized by ECG gating. The apparatus and methods may be employed to image the heart, providing operators with a way to monitor the heart and detect subtle changes in heart condition from the time that a reference image was captured.

Ultrasonic monitoring system and method

Apparatus for temperature-monitored heat treatment monitoring, comprising: a radiant heat source adapted for heating of internal body tissue at a location; an imager suitable for providing an image that differentiates between whole and collapsed liposomes, viewing said heated tissue at said location; and a controller that analyses a view of said tissue acquired by said viewer and generates a temperature indicating map of the heated tissue, based on a known temperature-varying collapse characteristic of said liposomes.

Zvi Friedman

Papers

Systems and methods for ultrasound assisted lipolysis

Systems and methods for steering a focused ultrasound array

Systems and methods for focussing an acoustic energy beam transmitted through non-uniform tissue medium

Ultrasonic monitoring system and method

Use of temperature sensitive liposomes