Endo-cavity focused ultrasound transducer

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering acoustic energy to a target site adjacent a body passage includes first and second elongate members, each carrying one or more transducer elements on their distal ends. The first and / or second elongate members include connectors for securing the first and second elongate members together such that the transducer elements together define a transducer array. The first and second elongate members are introduced sequentially into a body passage until the transducer elements are disposed adjacent a target site. Acoustic energy is delivered from the transducer elements to the target site to treat tissue therein. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a tubular member and an expandable structure carrying a plurality of transducer elements. The structure is expanded between a contracted configuration during delivery and an enlarged configuration when deployed for delivering acoustic energy to a target site adjacent the body passage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 452,061, filed Jun. 2, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirely.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for delivering acoustic energy, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for delivering diagnostic and / or therapeutic ultrasonic energy from a transducer disposed within a body of a subject. BACKGROUND [0003] Devices and systems using acoustic energy, particularly within the ultrasonic range (acoustic waves with a frequency greater than about twenty kilohertz (20 kHz), and more typically between fifty kiloHertz and five Megahertz (0.05-5 MHz)), have been used to diagnose and treat patients. For example, ultrasonic energy may be employed to obtain images of a region of a patient during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. In addition, ultrasound systems have been used for treating tissue, e.g., by fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about apparatus and methods for delivering ultrasound energy to tissue within a patient. The invention involves using a transducer device that can be introduced into a body passage of the patient, such as a blood vessel or ureter. The transducer device can be a single transducer or a combination of two transducers that form a transducer array. The apparatus can also include a balloon or other coupling membrane for acoustic coupling with surrounding tissue. The invention provides a way to deliver ultrasound energy to target regions within the body, which can be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Because ultrasonic transducers are generally disposed adjacent to the patient, however, the acoustic path to a target tissue region may be at least partially obstructed, e.g., by anatomical objects such as bones or cavities, within the patient's body.

Furthermore, acoustic energy may not be adequately focused at a location deep within a body, e.g., because the resulting focal zone may be too large to provide an effective and safe treatment.

Natural body passages, however, may limit the size of the transducer that may be introduced.

The size of a transducer that may be delivered inside a body passage may be limited by the size of a body orifice at the entry point for the transducer.

For example, the size of a transducer used for treating prostate cancer may be limited by the maximum perimeter of the rectal orifice.

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