Systems and methods for regulating microbubbles in ultrasound procedures
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Publication Number
US-11730452-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various approaches for regulating microbubbles in a treatment procedure for a target include generating a tissue-sensitivity map including multiple regions, at least one of the regions being outside the target region, the tissue-sensitivity map assigning, to each of the regions, a sensitivity level indicative of tissue sensitivity to the interaction between the microbubbles and an acoustic beam; select one or more interaction regions based at least in part on the tissue-sensitivity map; and activating the ultrasound transducer so as to generate the acoustic beam for interacting with the microbubbles in the selection interaction region(s) in the tissue-sensitivity map, thereby indirectly changing a characteristic of the microbubbles at the target region.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a system and method for regulating microbubbles in a treatment procedure for a target region. A tissue-sensitivity map assigns sensitivity levels to regions, including at least one region outside the target region, and guides selection of an interaction region. An ultrasound transducer generates an acoustic beam that interacts with microbubbles in the selected region, thereby indirectly changing a microbubble characteristic at the target region.
The described approach aims to address the risk of damage to healthy tissue and treatment delays associated with waiting for natural microbubble clearance. It uses tissue sensitivity to guide where the interaction with microbubbles occurs, including selection of a relatively low-sensitivity region. The described system can also use imaging-derived anatomy and acoustic feedback to inform region selection and transducer control.
Claims Coverage
The patent has two independent claims covering two inventive features: one directed to a system and one directed to a method for regulating microbubbles in a treatment procedure for a target region.
System for regulating microbubbles using a tissue-sensitivity map
The system includes an ultrasound transducer and a controller configured to generate a tissue-sensitivity map assigning sensitivity levels to regions, select at least one interaction region based at least in part on the map, and activate the transducer to interact with microbubbles in that region, thereby indirectly changing a microbubble characteristic at the target region.
Method for regulating microbubbles using a tissue-sensitivity map
The method generates a tissue-sensitivity map assigning sensitivity levels to regions, selects at least one interaction region based at least in part on the map, and activates an ultrasound transducer to interact with microbubbles in that region, thereby indirectly changing a microbubble characteristic at the target region.
Both independent claims center on map-guided selection of an interaction region and acoustic interaction with microbubbles there to indirectly change a microbubble characteristic at the target region.
Stated Advantages
The approach aims to limit damage to healthy tissue by guiding the microbubble interaction to a selected region with tissue sensitivity considered.
The approach aims to avoid treatment delays associated with waiting for natural microbubble clearance.
Documented Applications
Regulating microbubbles in a treatment procedure for a target region.
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