Ultrasound imaging and therapy device
Inventors
Pernot, Mathieu • Vion, Michael • Tanter, Mickael
Assignees
Cardiawave • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS • Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
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Publication Number
US-11554386-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultrasound imaging and therapy device includes an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, wherein it further comprises a mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device and in that the ultrasound imaging device protrudes in an axial direction from the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device.
Core Innovation
An ultrasound imaging and therapy device is disclosed for performing non-invasive cardiac treatments. The device comprises an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality. The array generates focused ultrasound waves whose focal point is moved within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device while treatment is performed.
The device includes a mechanical linkage that allows a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasound imaging device extends beyond the foremost point of the array in an axial direction by a length comprised between 10 and 100 mm. This structural arrangement enables the ultrasound imaging device to be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array is tilted to move the focal point within the imaging region.
In the disclosed indirect contact, the contact is mediated by a layer of an ultrasound-conducting medium of less than 5 mm thick. With the stationary imaging device and the tilting array, the focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers is moved within the imaging region of the imaging device to support real-time guidance over a beating heart, as described in the document.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It defines one inventive architecture combining a concentric annular transducer array, an ultrasound imaging device positioned inside the innermost transducer, and a mechanical linkage that tilts the transducer array while the imaging device remains stationary in skin contact to move the focal point within the imaging region. The dependent claims further refine steering, intensity control, and adaptation using imaging data and treatment-related information, including cavitation activity.
Concentric annular transducer array with internal ultrasound imaging device
An ultrasound imaging and therapy device for performing non-invasive cardiac treatments comprising an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of said plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers.
Mechanical tilting with axial extension of stationary imaging device
A mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device, wherein the ultrasound imaging device extends beyond the foremost point of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, in an axial direction, by a length comprised between 10 and 100 mm; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of said ultrasound imaging device.
Indirect skin contact via thin ultrasound-conducting medium
Indirect contact corresponds to a contact mediated by a layer of an ultrasound-conducting medium of less than 5 mm thick.
Focused ultrasound focal-point peak positive pressure constraint
An ultrasound imaging and therapy device configured so its electronic signal generator and concentric annular ultrasound transducers generate focused ultrasound waves whose focal point peak positive pressure is at least 10 MPa, preferably at least 50 MPa.
Focal-point positive pressure range for therapy or drug delivery
An ultrasound imaging and therapy device configured to generate focused ultrasound waves with a focal-point positive pressure between 3 MPa and 10 MPa for HIFU therapy applications or ultrasonic drug delivery.
Controller-driven steering along a two- or three-dimensional path
The ultrasound imaging and therapy device further includes a controller that drives an electronic signal generator and an actuating system to steer the focal point of focused ultrasound waves along a two- or three-dimensional path.
Image-data processing for automatically adapting intensity
A controller that receives imaging data, processes it to extract treatment-related information, and automatically adapts the intensity level of focused ultrasound waves based on that information.
Cavitation activity included in treatment-related information
Treatment-related information includes information about cavitation activity.
Overall, clm-00001 provides a guided non-invasive cardiac treatment device architecture in which a concentric annular ultrasound transducer array is mechanically tilted to move a focal point within an imaging region while an internal imaging device remains stationary in direct or indirect skin contact. The dependent claims further specify pressure constraints at the focal point, controller-driven steering along a 2D/3D path, and image-data-based automatic intensity adaptation using treatment-related information including cavitation activity.
Stated Advantages
Enables the ultrasound imaging device to be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array is tilted to move the focal point within an imaging region.
Documented Applications
Medical applications including histotripsy/lithotripsy (shock-wave applications) and ultrasonic drug delivery/sonoporation for cardiac and non-cardiac conditions.
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