Ultrasound directed cavitational methods and system for ocular treatments

Abstract

Methods and system provide a focused spot having a cross-sectional size within a range from about 50 [mu]m to about 200 [mu]m full width half maximum (FWHM); the corresponding cavitation can be similarly sized within similar ranges. The ultrasound beam can be focused and pulsed at each of a plurality of locations to provide a plurality of cavitation zones at each of the target regions. Each pulsemay comprise a peak power within a range generating focal negative peak pressures within a range from about 10 MPa to about 80 MPa. While the treatment pulses can be arranged in many ways within a region, in many instances the pulses can be spaced apart within a region to provide intact tissue such as intact sclera between pulses.

Description

[0001] cross reference [0002] This PCT application claims U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 237,840 (Attorney Docket No. 48848-704.101), entitled "ULTRASOUND DIRECTED CAVITATIONAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OCULAR TREATMENTS," filed October 6, 2015; filed November 11, 2015 U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 254,138 (Attorney Docket No. 48848-704.102) entitled "ULTRASOUNDDIRECTED CAVITATIONAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OCULAR TREATMENTS"; and U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 310,644, filed March 18, 2016, entitled "ULTRASOUND DIRECTED CAVITATIONAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OCULAR TREATMENTS" (Attorney Docket No. 48848-704.103); Docket No. 48848-704.104); the entire disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. Background technique [0003] Existing methods and systems for treating tissue to increase resilience may not be as effective as ideal. For example, existing methods and systems for increasing tissue elasticity may include laser and thermal treatments suc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The fading of this therapeutic effect may make existing methods and systems less than ideal for treatments such as elastic accommodation of the eye to treat presbyopia and glaucoma

Additionally, such laser and RF-based treatments can be more complex and expensive than ideal, leaving fewer people with beneficial treatments

[0004] Although ultrasound has been used previously in conjunction with lithotripsy to ablate tissue, existing ultrasound devices may not be ideally suited to treat tissue to increase tissue elasticity

Additionally, existing ultrasound methods and systems may be less than ideal for treating smaller structures such as eye tissue

For example, existing frequencies used in lithotripsy methods and systems may provide more heat than ideal, and the ultrasound beam may not be focused small enough to treat delicate structures such as those of the eye

Images