System and method for open-loop ultrasound therapy
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Publication Number
US-12257459-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for delivering ultrasound therapy using open-loop controls comprises inserting a distal tip of a therapeutic ultrasound applicator into a patient's urethra, the distal tip including an ultrasound transducer; acquiring ultrasound images of the patient's urethra and prostate with an ultrasound imaging probe; aligning the distal tip of the therapeutic ultrasound applicator with the patient's prostate using the ultrasound images; delivering therapeutic ultrasound energy to the patient's prostate, with the ultrasound transducer, according to a treatment plan, the treatment plan including a predetermined limited angular range for the therapeutic ultrasound energy that avoids the patient's rectum and neurovascular bundles, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound is delivered without temperature feedback data.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an open-loop ultrasound therapy delivery system for a patient, including a therapeutic ultrasound applicator with a distal tip ultrasound transducer. The system includes an ultrasound imaging probe that acquires ultrasound images of the patient's urethra and prostate, and the therapeutic ultrasound applicator is mechanically coupled to an ultrasound applicator positioning system that adjusts a position and orientation of the ultrasound transducer under control of a microprocessor-based UA positioning system controller.
A microprocessor-based computer stores computer-readable instructions and receives one or more inputs corresponding to a treatment plan. The treatment plan includes a predetermined limited angular range for therapeutic ultrasound energy that avoids the patient's rectum, neurovascular bundles, and internal organs other than the patient's prostate, and the computer generates control signals that cause the UA positioning system controller to rotate the ultrasound transducer over the predetermined limited angular range and to simultaneously deliver therapeutic ultrasound energy over the predetermined limited angular range.
The system delivers therapeutic ultrasound without temperature feedback data, including without temperature feedback data used as feedback for delivery and without MRI thermometry feedback. The ultrasound imaging is used for aligning the applicator to the prostate, optionally including fiducial marks and image registration, and treatment planning may further constrain limited radial and limited axial ranges, and may define angular sectors including an anterior direction and example angular ranges such as 0°-280° and 0°-240°.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an open-loop ultrasound therapy delivery system that integrates imaging of the urethra and prostate with a positioning controller that rotates a therapeutic ultrasound transducer over a predetermined limited angular range according to a treatment plan. The treatment plan constrains the angular range to avoid specific organs/structures, and the delivery is performed without temperature feedback data.
Ultrasound imaging of urethra and prostate for open-loop therapy delivery
Using an ultrasound imaging probe to acquire ultrasound images of the patient's urethra and prostate.
Positioning controller mechanically coupled to the therapeutic applicator
An ultrasound applicator positioning system mechanically coupled to the therapeutic ultrasound applicator, with a microprocessor-based UA positioning system controller configured to adjust a position and orientation of the ultrasound transducer to deliver therapeutic ultrasound energy to the patient's prostate according to a treatment plan.
Predetermined limited angular range treatment plan that avoids rectum and neurovascular bundles
A treatment plan input including a predetermined limited angular range for the therapeutic ultrasound energy that avoids the patient's rectum, neurovascular bundles, and internal organs other than the patient's prostate.
Rotate over limited angular range and simultaneously deliver therapeutic ultrasound energy
Generating control signals that cause the UA positioning system controller to rotate the ultrasound transducer over the predetermined limited angular range and to simultaneously deliver therapeutic ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer over the predetermined limited angular range.
Open-loop delivery without temperature feedback data
Delivering the therapeutic ultrasound without temperature feedback data.
Overall, the independent claim is directed to an open-loop system that combines urethra/prostate ultrasound imaging with a microprocessor-based positioning controller that rotates a therapeutic transducer over a predetermined limited angular range defined by a treatment plan to avoid rectum and neurovascular bundles, while delivering without temperature feedback data.
Stated Advantages
Therapeutic ultrasound energy is delivered without temperature feedback data.
The predetermined limited angular range avoids the patient's rectum, neurovascular bundles, and internal organs other than the patient's prostate.
Documented Applications
Open-loop ultrasound therapy delivery for treating the prostate.
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