The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 21, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 29, 2004
Shahram Vaezy, Seattle, WA (US);
Arthur H. Chan, Plano, TX (US);
Victor Y. Fujimoto, San Francisco, CA (US);
Donald E. Moore, Seattle, WA (US);
Roy W. Martin, Anacortes, WA (US);
Shahram Vaezy, Seattle, WA (US);
Arthur H. Chan, Plano, TX (US);
Victor Y. Fujimoto, San Francisco, CA (US);
Donald E. Moore, Seattle, WA (US);
Roy W. Martin, Anacortes, WA (US);
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A frame ensures that the alignment between a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer designed for vaginal use and a commercially available ultrasound image probe is maintained, so that the HIFU focus remains in the image plane during HIFU therapy. A water-filled membrane placed between the HIFU transducer and the treatment site provides acoustic coupling. The coupling is evaluated to determine whether any air bubbles exist at the coupling interface, which might degrade the therapy provided by the HIFU transducer. HIFU lesions on tissue appear as hyperechoic spots on the ultrasound image in real time during application of HIFU therapy. Ergonomic testing in humans has demonstrated clear visualization of the HIFU transducer relative to the uterus and showed the potential for the HIFU transducer to treat fibroids from the cervix to the fundus through the width of the uterus.