Liposonix, Inc.

Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc.

Medicis Technologies Corporation

Sonosite, Inc.

Atl Ultrasound, Inc.

Mirabilis Medica, Inc.

Jens Ulrich Quistgaard

Charles S Desilets

Gregory Paul Darlington

Tim Etchells

Blake W Little

Leo R Catallo

Patrick Rene Pesque

Clinton T Siedenburg

Randy Holmberg

Gary Allen Schwartz

Jeffrey Robert Crunkilton

Hung Nguyen

Greg P Darlington

Anthony R Vannelli

D Scott Hirschi

George Barrett

David N Roundhill

Juin-Jet Hwang

Earl M Canfield

Kathryn Ann Stecco

Ramachandra Pailoor

Robert H Pedersen

Pascal Roncalez

Michael P H Lau

Michael A Wood

Roy B Peterson

Jessica E Parsons

Lisa M Butler

Lee David Dunbar

Juin Jet Hwang

Kenneth Dickerson

Ramchandra Pailoor

Delfin M Catunao

Rebecca L Gandini

David Lauder

Jody Lloyd Johnson

Howard Holman

A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.

Human interface and device for ultrasound guided treatment

Methods and apparatus are described for coupling a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to a skin surface using water as a coupling agent.

Methods and apparatus for coupling a HIFU transducer to a skin surface

An ultrasound transducer having multiple focal zones is described. In one embodiment there is an ultrasound transducer manufactured as a single piece but having two or more focal zones. In a second embodiment there is a transducer assembly combining a high frequency and low frequency transducer. In a third embodiment there is an interchangeable assembly allowing for different ultrasound transducers to be used based on procedural needs. Variations of each embodiment are also disclosed.

Component ultrasound transducer

A two-stage control system is disclosed being made of a first control means for providing command and control of a robotic arm, and a second control means for the control and movement of a therapy device, such as an ultrasound transducer. The therapy device is positioned within a therapy head. The therapy head is attached to the distal end of the robotic arm. The two-stage control system provides for a macro and micro level of control for the therapy device during a therapy procedure.

Articulating arm for medical procedures

A physical shield placed on the face of a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer for medical applications is described. The shield may be shaped or angled to match a particular pattern of mechanical or acoustic energy that may damage the transducer during operation. The shield may be ablative, replaceable or modified as needed. Methods of manufacturing a transducer with a shield are also disclosed.

Transducer with shield

Described is a system and method for the destruction of adipose tissue using an energy applicator such as a HIFU transducer. The system has a scan head containing an energy applicator, a mechanical arm for carrying the weight of the scan head, and a therapy controller such as a computer for controlling the operation of the scan head. The therapy controller may be part of a general purpose computer, and may be used as a robotic controller to automate the procedure. Methods are included for destroying adipose tissue in a quick, non-invasive manner.

Systems and methods for the destruction of adipose tissue

A transducer seal designed to seal an open aperture of a transducer housing for a therapeutic ultrasound procedure. The seal has a membrane, a retainer and a mating device for locking in place with the transducer housing. The membrane is essentially transparent to ultrasound energy while being stretched taut about the retainer. The transducer seal may be made in a disposable or re-usable form.

Disposable transducer seal

A mechanically formed transducer capable of producing a non-ideal focal region is described. The transducer has a plurality of piezoelectric elements suspended in an epoxy and heat molded into a desired shape. One or more shaped irregularities in the transducer provides for a mechanically induced non-ideal focal field without the need for electronic steering or lens focusing. Systems and methods of making the same are also described.

Medical ultrasound transducer having non-ideal focal region

A therapy head for use in HIFU procedures is described. The therapy head has an enclosure with a window, an energy applicator and a means of moving the energy applicator within the enclosure. The therapy head uses motors and actuators to move the energy applicator, usually an ultrasound transducer, inside the enclosure. A controller is provided either internally or externally that allows the therapy head to identify and distinguish locations where the therapy head should be to radiate energy into a patient. The controller uses the motors and actuators to move the energy applicator into the desired locations.

Ultrasound therapy head with movement control

A handheld ultrasound instrument is disclosed having enhanced diagnostic modes including pulse/continuous wave Doppler, time-motion analysis, spectral analysis and tissue harmonic imaging. An external electrocardiograph (ECG) recording unit is also disclosed. The ECG unit is adaptable to be used with the handheld ultrasound instrument to provide for ECG monitoring while performing an ultrasound scan in B-mode, Doppler, color Doppler, M-mode, and CW/PW mode. The enhanced handheld ultrasound instrument further includes a security mechanism allowing any combination of the diagnostic modes to be enabled by the manufacturer, and later to enable or disable any one or group of the diagnostic modes. The invention also discloses a method for a manufacturer to maintain a database of handheld ultrasound instrument capabilities after the instruments enter the stream of commerce.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound instrument with ECG module, authorization mechanism and methods of use

A position tracking device is disclosed combining one or more optical sensors in a housing with a medical device. The medical device may be an insertion device or one that produces radiant energy. The device may utilize an on-board processor or an external processor to track position data generated by the optical sensors and correlate the treatment regime of the medical device. Alternative embodiments and methods of use are also described.

Position tracking device

A mechanically formed vortex transducer is described. The transducer has a plurality of piezoelectric elements suspended in an epoxy and heat molded into a desired shape. An irregularity in the transducer shape provides for a mechanically induced vortex focal field without the need for electronic steering or lens focusing. A system and methods of making the same are also described.

Vortex transducer

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Jens Ulrich Quistgaard