Delivery of theraputic ultrasound by two dimensional ultrasound array

Abstract

A fully steerable two-dimensional ultrasound array delivers a therapy by steering and selective focusing of beams. In some systems, the ultrasound array also includes an imaging functionality to simultaneously perform diagnostic imaging and delivery of a therapy. In one example, the two-dimensional ultrasound array includes a controller that controls beam forming and focusing to scan the focal point of the beam in a pattern within an identified structure of a image. Tissue is thus scanned using a sharply focused beam that is suitable for delivering a therapy such as a hyperthermia therapy or a therapy utilizing delivery of a pharmaceutical via microspheres. Imaging and therapy proceed either simultaneously or separately by operator selection. Simultaneous operation of imaging and therapy delivery are attained using a focused, scanned beam in which a focused beam that delivers intensity levels suitable for heating tissue or for bursting microspheres is pulsed. Reflected signals from the pulses are detected and used to create an image in the manner of conventional ultrasound imaging. Ultrasonic beams are sharply focused to generate intensity levels that are suitable for heating tissues in a hyperthermia application and bursting microspheres in a therapy utilizing microsphere-encased pharmaceuticals. The sharply focused echoes are delivered in pulses and reflections from the pulses are detected and used to create an ultrasound image.