Pre-treatment tissue sensitization for focused ultrasound procedures
Inventors
Levy, Yoav • Schuster, Israel • RINOTT, Shahar
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12246195-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for treating target tissue include generating a priming sequence of sonication pulses for delivering acoustic energy to the target tissue; pausing generation of the sonication pulses for a delay interval; and generating a series of treatment sequences of sonication pulses for delivering acoustic energy to the target tissue, the treatment sequences having sonication intervals therebetween and the delay interval being larger than the largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to focused ultrasound therapy enhanced by pre-treatment priming sonication sequences delivered to target tissue. A controller generates a priming sequence of sonication pulses to drive an ultrasound transducer to deliver acoustic energy to the target tissue, and then pauses driving the ultrasound transducer for a delay interval. After the delay interval, the controller generates a series of treatment sequences of sonication pulses to deliver acoustic energy to the target tissue in accordance with the treatment sequences.
The priming-to-treatment workflow is characterized by treatment sequences that have sonication intervals therebetween, and by the delay interval being larger than a largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor. The delay interval occurs between generating the priming sequence and generating the series of treatment sequences, so the pause provides a controlled separation between priming and subsequent therapeutic sonication.
The invention further describes optional ultrasound contrast agent and microbubble administration during priming and/or treatment, configured to induce and maintain a target range of microbubble cavitation while optionally avoiding formation of a microbubble cloud. A controller can determine values of ultrasound parameters to initiate microbubble cavitation, maintain a target range of microbubble cavitation, and/or avoid microbubble cloud formation, and the described control architecture includes an ultrasound transducer, beamformer, controller, and imaging and administration components for guidance and monitoring of sequence execution.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover systems and methods for treating target tissue with focused ultrasound that use a priming sequence followed by a pause (delay interval) that is larger than a largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor, then one or more treatment sequences. Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on the priming/pause/treatment sequence structure and, for some independent claims, concurrent ultrasound contrast agent administration during priming.
Priming sequence, delay interval, and series of treatment sequences
A system comprising an ultrasound transducer and a controller configured to generate a priming sequence of sonication pulses, pause driving the ultrasound transducer for a delay interval, and generate a series of treatment sequences of sonication pulses, where the delay interval is larger than a largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor and occurs between generating the priming sequence and generating the treatment sequences.
Priming sequence followed by pausing delay interval and treatment sequences
A method comprising generating a priming sequence of sonication pulses, pausing generation of the sonication pulses for a delay interval, and generating a series of treatment sequences of sonication pulses, where the delay interval is larger than a largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor and occurs after generating the priming sequence and before generating the series of treatment sequences.
Ultrasound contrast agent administration during priming
A system comprising an ultrasound transducer, an administration device for administering an ultrasound contrast agent at the target tissue, and a controller configured to generate a priming sequence of sonication pulses, operate the administration device to administer the ultrasound contrast agent during the priming sequence, pause generation of the sonication pulses for a delay interval, and subsequent to the delay interval generate a treatment sequence of sonication pulses.
Priming with contrast agent then delayed treatment sequence
A method comprising generating a priming sequence of sonication pulses, administering an ultrasound contrast agent during the priming sequence, pausing generation of the sonication pulses for a delay interval, and subsequent to the delay interval generating a treatment sequence of sonication pulses.
Overall, the claims require a priming sequence of sonication pulses followed by a pause (delay interval) that is larger than a largest sonication interval by a predetermined factor, followed by treatment sequences. Additional independent coverage includes administering an ultrasound contrast agent during the priming sequence before the delayed treatment sequence.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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