University of Washington

Other

Silversquare

Andrew Hollis Proctor

Roy W Martin

Fred E Silverstein

Lawrence A Crum

Shahram Vaezy

Peter John Kaczkowski

Stephen J Carter

Michael Gaps

W Scott Helton

George W Keilman

Mark D Brentnall

George Woodrow Keilman

Michael B Kimmey

Michael D Schuffler

Geoffrey C Jiranek

A medical instrument uses solid tapered cones mounted to a preferably concave, spherically curved, piezoelectric ultrasound transducer which focuses and concentrates the ultrasound energy to a narrow tip so very high levels of ultrasound can be delivered to the tissue adjacent to the tip. Ultrasound matching layers or variable curvature geometries are employed at the tip aid in transferring the energy from the tip to the tissue. Alternative embodiments employing cooling technology are also described.

Self-cooled ultrasonic applicator for medical applications

A medical instrument uses solid tapered cones mounted to a preferably concave, spherically curved, piezoelectric ultrasound transducer which focuses and concentrates the ultrasound energy to a narrow tip so very high levels of ultrasound can be delivered to the tissue adjacent to the tip. Ultrasound matching layers or variable curvature geometries are employed at the tip aid in transferring the energy from the tip to the tissue.

Apparatus and method for producing high intensity focused ultrasonic energy for medical applications

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound (&ldquo;HIFU&rdquo;) is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as &ldquo;presurgical volume cauterization.&rdquo; In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

Method and apparatus for medical procedures using high-intensity focused ultrasound

Ultrasonic applicator for medical applications

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound ('HIFU') is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as 'presurgical volume cauterization.' In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

Method and apparatus for medical procedures using high-intensity focused

Devices are described which can be used to study the physiological function of the intestinal wall. These devices include an ultrasonic transducer that can be attached to a region of the intestinal wall. The transducer interrogates the wall and echoes are obtained from the different wall layers. The echoes are processed to produce an M-mode display of the wall. This allows monitoring how the wall changes with time. For example, as the wall contracts the muscle layer thickens and this action may be observed with the device. Other sensors and electrodes can be combined with this probe to correlate various physiological action. Finally, several such probes can be combined into a common introducible probe but which will monitor several regions along the intestinal wall. The major advantage of the disclosed device is that it provides a measurement of intestinal motility previously unattainable and it is introducible by endoscopy. This makes it a suitable tool for studying patient disease.

Method and apparatus for determining the motility of a region in the

A collapsible slide carousel which allows for more efficient storage and transport thereof. The collapsible slide carousel includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a plurality of slide dividers pivotally secured to the upper and lower portions such that the slides can be positioned in an erect position or a collapsed position. In the erect position the slides are disposed substantially vertically as in a conventional carousel such that the slides can be viewed utilizing a conventional carousel projector. Alternatively, in the collapsed position the slides are disposed in an angular position overlapping one another in a domino-like manner allowing for more efficient storage and transportation of the carousel. The upper portion of the carousel is rotatably disposed with respect to the lower portion such that the carousel can be adjusted from the erect position to the collapsed position, and vice versa, by rotating the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. In the erect position the upper portion is displaced from the lower portion and in the collapsed position the upper portion is disposed adjacent the lower portion. The carousel further include a spring for urging the upper portion away from the lower portion such that the slides are urged toward the erect position.

Collapsible slide carousel

A miniature ultrasound imaging probe that may be delivered through the biopsy channel of an endoscope. The probe includes a probe tip mounted at the distal end of a flexible catheter. The probe tip includes a transducer body mounted on the distal end of a distal actuating rod with the transducer body carrying an ultrasound transducer. The distal actuating rod is mounted on the distal end of a plurality of concentric, springs wound in opposite directions extending concentrically through the catheter and terminating in a proximal actuating rod. A flexible bag filled with an acoustic coupling fluid is mounted at the distal end of the catheter. The bag surrounds the transducer body to isolate it from the external environment and retain the acoustic coupling fluid. When the probe is to be inserted through a narrow passage, the proximal actuating rod is advanced into the catheter to extend the transducer body against the flexible bag. As a result, the bag elongates and its width is reduced. When the probe is to be used for imaging, the proximal actuating rod is retracted to withdraw the transducer body away from the bag and allow the bag to expand radially so that it can conform to a surface through which an image is to be obtained.

Growing community of inventors

Duvall, WA, United States of America

Andrew Hollis Proctor