Apparatus and method for directing energy from a multi-element source
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Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11779779-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to controlling a direction of energy emitted by energy delivery devices by mechanically changing the angular direction of emission. Energy is emitted from each energy delivery device in an angular direction, where each energy delivery device is mechanically coupled to a first end of a respective rod extending from a moveable plate to a stationary plate along a respective rod axis.
A positioning mechanism in mechanical communication with the moveable plate changes a position of the moveable plate with respect to the stationary plate. Each rod is mechanically coupled to the moveable plate via a respective second rotatable joint, where a portion of each rod is slidingly engaged with the respective second rotatable joint and each second rotatable joint is disposed at least in part in a hole in the moveable plate. The first and second rotatable joints are rotated with respect to the stationary and moveable plates, respectively, while the position of the moveable plate is changed.
A plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to a plurality of rods, each rod extending from the moveable plate to the stationary plate along a respective rod axis. First rotatable joints provide connections to a stationary plate with stationary plate holes, and second rotatable joints provide connections to a moveable plate with moveable plate holes. A positioning mechanism changes the position of the moveable plate with respect to the stationary plate and includes an x-y-z positioner.
The document also describes a magnetic resonance image-guided workflow in which a computer receives magnetic resonance data and determines a measured angular direction of ultrasound transducer elements. The measured angular direction is compared to a target angular direction in a treatment plan, and the position of the moveable plate is adjusted when the measured and target angular directions differ.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims (method clm-00001, apparatus clm-00012, apparatus clm-00018). Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on mechanically controlling emission direction using rods, first and second rotatable joints, and plate position adjustment to change a defined angular direction relative to a reference axis.
Mechanically defined angular emission using rods and reference axis
A method in which energy is emitted from each energy delivery device in an angular direction, where each energy delivery device is mechanically coupled to a first end of a respective rod extending from a moveable plate to a stationary plate along a respective rod axis, and the angular direction is defined by an angle between the respective rod axis and a reference axis.
Moveable plate positioning with slidingly engaged second rotatable joints
A method in which a positioning mechanism changes a position of the moveable plate with respect to the stationary plate, the moveable plate is mechanically coupled to each rod via a respective second rotatable joint disposed in a hole in the moveable plate, and a portion of each rod is slidingly engaged with the respective second rotatable joint.
Rotating first and second rotatable joints while rod axes extend
A method in which the respective first and second rotatable joints are rotated with respect to the stationary and moveable plates, respectively, each rod continuing to extend from the moveable plate to the stationary plate along the rod axis while the position of the moveable plate is changed, thereby changing the angular direction of the energy emitted.
Apparatus with stationary and moveable plates connected by first and second rotatable joints
An apparatus having a plurality of energy delivery devices, a plurality of rods with first and second ends, first rotatable joints mechanically coupled to respective rods and disposed in stationary plate holes to form first rotatable joint connections, and second rotatable joints slidingly engaged on portions of respective rods and disposed in moveable plate holes to form second rotatable joint connections, with each first rotatable joint rotatable with respect to the stationary plate and each second rotatable joint rotatable with respect to the moveable plate.
Adjustable rod axial position via sliding engagement and different distances
An apparatus in which each second rotatable joint is slidingly engaged on a portion of the respective rod such that an axial position of the respective rod with respect to the respective second rotatable joint is adjustable from a first axial position to a second axial position, where the second end of the respective rod is a first distance from the respective second rotatable joint in the first axial position and is a second distance from the respective second rotatable joint in the second axial position, and the second distance is different than the first distance.
x-y-z positioner for moving the moveable plate relative to the stationary plate
An apparatus including a positioning mechanism in mechanical communication with the moveable plate to change a position of the moveable plate with respect to the stationary plate, where the positioning mechanism comprises an x-y-z positioner, and each rod extends from the moveable plate to the stationary plate along a respective rod axis.
Overall, the independent claims cover an apparatus and a method that mechanically direct energy emission by coupling energy delivery devices to rods connected via first and second rotatable joints to stationary and moveable plates, using plate position changes and rotation of the joints, with sliding engagement for axial adjustability, to change an angular direction defined relative to a reference axis.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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