Therapeutic ultrasound apparatus and method
Inventors
MITCHELL, Stuart B. • Hadford, Eric • Baker, Daniel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11259831-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue. The device includes an inner tube and an outer tube with a tissue clamping assembly at the distal end, and first and second engagement portions aligned to secure moveable fasteners and support tissue engagement and closure and opening of the clamp by a housing assembly with a handle.
A tissue clamping assembly having a width less than about 15 millimeters applies a clamping force at a target site using first and second jaws. Each jaw comprises an opening to receive and removably secure acoustic stacks, and the acoustic stacks include piezoelectric layers adhered to matching layers, with at least one piezoelectric transducer to generate and propagate ultrasonic waves for therapeutic ultrasound and a plurality of slots configured to promote a uniform acoustic field along a length of the piezoelectric layer.
The matching layer is configured to prevent reflection of ultrasonic waves by the target tissue. In the method aspect, a tissue engagement assembly with opposing acoustic stacks is guided to the target tissue site, engaged with engagement pressure, therapeutic ultrasound is provided to the tissue via the transducers, and the assembly is disengaged by actuating the inner tube in a second direction.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: device, alternative device configuration, and a method. Each independent claim centers on a compact tissue clamping or engagement assembly for cauterization that delivers therapeutic ultrasound via acoustic stacks with piezoelectric transducers and slot configurations to promote a uniform acoustic field, while using matching layers configured to prevent reflection of ultrasonic waves by target tissue.
Aligned inner and outer tube engagement for clamping
A therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue, comprising an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about the inner tube so that first and second engagement portions aligned with a tissue clamping assembly are configured to receive and secure first and second moveable fasteners, and a housing assembly secured to proximal ends where a handle actuates the inner tube relative to the outer tube to close the tissue clamping assembly.
Compact jawed clamping assembly with acoustic stacks
A tissue clamping assembly having a width less than about 15 millimeters configured to apply a clamping force at a target site, where the tissue clamping assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and a plurality of acoustic stacks comprising a piezoelectric layer adhered to a matching layer, each jaw comprises an opening to receive and removably secure an acoustic stack, and the distal end of the tissue clamping assembly is configured to engage with the first engagement portion of the inner tube and the second engagement portion of the outer tube.
Piezoelectric acoustic stacks with slots and matching layer
Each acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer adhered to a matching layer, where the piezoelectric layer comprises at least one piezoelectric transducer configured to generate and propagate ultrasonic waves to provide therapeutic ultrasound and a plurality of slots configured to promote a uniform acoustic field along a length of the piezoelectric layer, and where the matching layer is configured to prevent reflection of ultrasonic waves by the target tissue.
Aligned distal ends and engagement assembly actuation
A therapeutic ultrasound device comprising an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about the inner tube such that distal ends of the inner tube and outer tube are aligned, an engagement assembly secured to the distal ends and having a width less than about 15 millimeters, where the engagement assembly is configured to apply an engagement force to a target and includes opposing acoustic stacks with piezoelectric layers adhered to matching layers, and a housing assembly with a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube such that actuation engages and disengages the engagement assembly.
Method of applying therapeutic ultrasound with engage, ultrasound, disengage
A method of applying therapeutic ultrasound to a target tissue site comprising guiding a tissue engagement assembly comprising a plurality of opposing acoustic stacks, each having a piezoelectric layer adhered to a matching layer with transducers and slots for a uniform acoustic field and a matching layer configured to prevent reflection, to the target tissue site, securing the tissue engagement assembly to a distal end of an actuation device with an outer tube disposed about an inner tube, actuating the inner tube in a first direction to engage the tissue engagement assembly, applying engagement pressure, providing therapeutic ultrasound via the at least one transducer, and actuating the inner tube in a second direction to disengage the tissue engagement assembly.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a compact tissue engagement or clamping assembly with a width less than about 15 millimeters that delivers therapeutic ultrasound through acoustic stacks having piezoelectric transducers and slots to promote a uniform acoustic field, while using a matching layer configured to prevent reflection of ultrasonic waves by target tissue. Engagement is applied by actuation of an inner tube relative to an outer tube via a housing and handle mechanism, with first and second directions to engage and disengage the tissue engagement or clamping assembly.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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