Vascusense, Inc.

Other

University of Washington

Intravascular Research Limited

Diagnostic Devices Group, Limited

Volcano Therapeutic, Inc.

Vacusense, Inc.

Ultrathermics

George Woodrow Keilman

George E Cimochowski

Robert Julian Dickinson

Roy W Martin

Lawrence A Crum

Shahram Vaezy

Elvin Leonard Nix

Stephen J Carter

Victor Y Fujimoto

Peter John Kaczkowski

Robert F McConaghy

Andrew Hollis Proctor

Dipankar Ganguly

Michael Gaps

W Scott Helton

Sheldon P Detwiler

In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energised in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.

Ultrasonic transducer array and method of manufacturing the same

An ultrasonic pump in which a medium is pumped by the interaction between longitudinal acoustic waves and the medium in a flow-chamber. The pump comprises a non-planar, transducer and an associated chamber for providing a controllable, focused, acoustic traveling wave therein. The chamber includes a tapered passage corresponding to the focused beam pattern of the focused acoustic traveling wave through which the liquid medium flows and/or cavitation is induced and/or controlled. The pump therefore utilizes a focused, non-planar, acoustical transducer responsive to frequency input for directing longitudinal acoustic waves into the flow-chamber which induces a pressure gradient. The medium in the flow-chamber flows in the direction of travel of the acoustic wave in the chamber as a result of acoustic streaming. The exit orifice of the nozzle in communication with the chamber is strategically located at about the focal zone of the focused, traveling wave. Thus, the pump provides ultrasonic control of a medium to provide selective motion and cavitation.

Ultrasonic pump with non-planar transducer for generating focused longitudinal waves and pumping methods

Method and apparatus for the simultaneous use of ultrasound on a probe for imaging and therapeutic purposes. The probe limits the effects of undesirable interference noise in a display by synchronizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves with an imaging transducer to cause the noise to be displayed in an area of the image that does not overlap the treatment site. In one embodiment, the HIFU is first energized at a low power level that does not cause tissue damage, so that the focal point of the HIFU can be identified by a change in the echogenicity of the tissue caused by the HIFU. Once the focal point is properly targeted on a desired treatment site, the power level is increased to a therapeutic level. The location of each treatment site is stored and displayed to the user to enable a plurality of spaced-apart treatment sites to be achieved. As the treatment progresses, any changes in the treatment site can be seen in the real time, noise-free image. A preferred application of the HIFU waves is to cause lesions in blood vessels, so that the supply of nutrients and oxygen to a region, such as a tumor, is interrupted. The tumor will thus eventually be destroyed. In a preferred embodiment, the HIFU is used to treat disorders of the female reproductive system, such as uterine fibroids. The HIFU treatment can be repeated at spaced-apart intervals, until any remaining fibroid tissue is destroyed.

Ultrasound therapy head configured to couple to an ultrasound imaging probe to facilitate contemporaneous imaging using low intensity ultrasound and treatment using high intensity focused ultrasound

A system includes a first coil, a signal source and a first control module. The first control module regulates coupling between the signal source and the first coil. The system also includes an implantable device having a second coil coupled to a therapeutic transducer comprising an ultrasonic transducer. When the first coil is aligned with the second coil, the signal source is able to supply electrical power to the implantable device to enable the therapeutic transducer to operate. The control module is able to activate the therapeutic transducer under the control of a physician.

Implantable therapeutic device and method

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

Noise-free real time ultrasonic imaging of a treatment site undergoing high intensity focused ultrasound therapy

A parameter indicative of the condition of a cardiac valve is determined by monitoring blood flow and/or velocity in a vessel that is coupled to the cardiac valve or in a chamber adjacent to an artificial cardiac valve. One or more ultrasonic transducers are provided either in a wall or a cuff disposed about a cardiac vessel to monitor the parameter in regard to a natural or artificial cardiac valve, or in a support sewing ring of an artificial cardiac valve. A conformal array transducer or a tilted element is used to monitor fluid flow or velocity based on the effect of the blood on ultrasonic waves produced by the transducers. The conformal array transducer comprises a plurality of elements that are excited with an input signal provided by an implantable electronics circuit, producing ultrasonic waves. Transit time or Doppler measurements are made using an appropriate number of these transducers to determine either blood volumetric flow or velocity. Various implantable electronic circuits are disclosed that enable a transducer to be driven and to receive an ultrasonic signal indicative of the status of blood flow and thus, the condition of the cardiac valve. A radio frequency (RF) coil is coupled to an external coil. The external coil is connected to a power supply and monitoring console, conveying power to the ultrasonic transducers and receiving data signals that enable the condition of the cardiac valve to be determined.

Ultrasonic sensors for monitoring the condition of flow through a cardiac valve

An apparatus includes an endoluminal implant, a RF coupling coil coupled to the endoluminal implant and a therapeutic transducer electrically coupled to the RF coupling coil and physically coupled to the endoluminal implant. The RF coupling coil supplies electrical power to the therapeutic transducer. The therapeutic transducer has a capability for delivering therapeutic energy to a lumen disposed within the endoluminal implant in response to signals coupled via the RF coupling coil.

Endoluminal implant with therapeutic and diagnostic capability

In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energized in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.

A stent or graft stent energized from an external power source is provided with one or more sensors to sense a parameter, producing a signal that is transmitted outside a vessel in which the stent is implanted. At least a portion of a body of the stent or an insulated electrical conductor comprises a plurality of turns that serve as an RF antenna. An expandable mesh or helical coils that form the stent body may serve as the antenna or it may comprise a separate insulated conductor. The RF antenna receives energy electromagnetically coupled to the antenna from an external (or implanted) coil and conveys a data signal corresponding to the parameter sensed by the sensor(s) on the stent or stent graft to a monitor disposed outside the patient's body. In one form of the invention, a plurality of conformal array transducers are used to produce and sense ultrasonic waves that are affected by a fluid flowing through a lumen of the stent. This transducer determines fluid flow or fluid velocity. In other embodiments, one or more integrated circuit (IC) sensors are used to sense other physical or biological parameters in the proximity of the stent, producing signals that are multiplexed by an electronics circuit and transmitted to the external monitor/power supply.

Endoluminal implant with fluid flow sensing capability

A parameter indicative of the status of fluid flow is remotely monitored in a vessel, a natural graft, or a synthetic graft. One or more transducers are provided either in a wall of a synthetic graft or adjacent to a vessel or natural graft to monitor the parameter. A conformal array transducer or a tilted element is used to monitor fluid flow or velocity through the graft or vessel based on the effect of the fluid on ultrasonic waves produced by the transducers. The conformal array transducer comprises a plurality of elements that curve around the graft or vessel and are excited with an input signal provided by an implantable electronics circuit, producing ultrasonic waves that propagate into the fluid flowing within the graft or vessel. Transit time or Doppler measurements are made using an appropriate number of these transducer to determine either fluid flow or velocity. Various implantable electronic circuits are provided that enable a selected transducer to be driven and to receive an ultrasonic signal or a pressure signal indicative of the status of fluid flow monitored by the transducer. The implanted electronic circuit is connected to an implanted radio frequency (RF) coil. An external coil that is connected to a power supply and monitoring console is coupled to the implanted RF coil to convey power and receive data signals from the transducer that are indicative of the parameter being monitored.

Ultrasonic sensors for monitoring the condition of a vascular graft

A cylindrical ultrasonic transducer (36) is disclosed. The transducer includes a cylindrical main element (38) provided with a plurality of ring-shaped secondary elements (40 and 42) that are triangular in cross section. By controlling the number, geometry, and construction of the secondary elements, substantially any desired ultrasonic emission pattern can be produced while maintaining a low overall transducer profile.

Low-profile ultrasonic transducer incorporating static beam steering

A method and apparatus for the treatment of tumors by heating with ultrasonic energy. A transducer assembly is provided in a housing having a refractive assembly disposed between the tumor and the transducer. The refractive assembly moves with respect to the transducer assembly. The refractive assembly includes one or more refractive elements. The refractive assembly is interchangeable to provide treatment of different types of tumors using the same transducer assembly and housing. The refractive assembly may focus, deflect or diffuse the ultrasonic energy depending on the arrangement of elements. Motion of the refractive assembly relative to the tumor results in a time-averaging spatial deposition pattern which is more highly uniform due to the averaging of maxima and minima which occurs in the near field.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

George Woodrow Keilman