US5558092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for performing diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound simultaneously
Assignee: Cerevast Therapeutics Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1996-09-24
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for performing diagnostic ultrasound simultaneously with the application of therapeutic ultrasonic waves are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are particularly advantageous in performing ultrasonic imaging of a region of a patient while simultaneously applying therapeutic ultrasonic waves to the region for the purpose of rupturing vesicles administered to that region for purposes such as enhanced cavitation or the targeted release of a bioactive agent into the region. An operator is able to monitor the rupture of vesicles in real time.
Inventors
- 👤 Evan C. Unger
- 👤 David W. Yellowhair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61K; A61K41/00; A61K41/0028; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61N; A61N7/00; A61B8/0883; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8909; G01S15/8915; G01S15/8925; G01S15/899
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly for simultaneous application of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasonic waves comprising: a plurality of therapeutic transducer elements for generating therapeutic ultrasonic waves; a plurality of diagnostic transducer elements for generating and receiving diagnostic ultrasonic waves; and a platform having a substantially planar upper surface on which said pluralities of therapeutic and diagnostic transducer elements are arranged, said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements being disposed on said planar surface centrally of said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly for simultaneous application of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasonic waves comprising: a plurality of therapeutic transducer elements for generating therapeutic ultrasonic waves; a plurality of diagnostic transducer elements for generating and receiving diagnostic ultrasonic waves; and a platform having a substantially planar upper surface on which said pluralities of therapeutic and diagnostic transducer elements are arranged, said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements being disposed on said planar surface centrally of said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first backing material disposed between said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements and the planar surface of said platform, and a second backing material disposed between said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements and the planar surface of said platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said first backing material has a lower acoustic impedance than said second backing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said first backing material has an acoustic impedance in the range of about 2×10 6 Kg/m 2 /s to 3×10 6 Kg/m 2 /s.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said second backing material has an acoustic impedance of about 7×10 6 Kg/m 2 /s.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said first and second backing materials are each formed of a polymer matrix material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said first backing material comprises one of an epoxy with tungsten powder and air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 2 wherein said second backing material comprises an epoxy with tungsten powder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements are isolated from said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements on said planar surface by a material having a heavily damped acoustic impedance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 9 wherein said acoustic insulating material comprises one of neoprene and air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements comprises a linear array of therapeutic transducer elements, and wherein said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements comprises first and second linear arrays of diagnostic transducer elements disposed on opposite sides of said linear array of therapeutic transducer elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements comprises a multiplexed phased array of therapeutic transducer elements, and said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements comprises a multiplexed phased array of diagnostic transducer elements that surround the multiplexed phased array of therapeutic transducer elements on said planar surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of therapeutic transducer elements comprises an annular array of therapeutic transducer elements, and said plurality of diagnostic transducer elements comprises a multiplexed phased array of diagnostic transducer elements that surround the annular array of therapeutic transducer elements on said planar surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic transducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a layer of an impedance matching material disposed in facing relation over said therapeutic and diagnostic transducer elements on a side opposite said platform.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating a patient comprising the steps of: (i) administering to the patient a quantity of vesicles; (ii) insonating the vesicles in a region of the patient with therapeutic ultrasonic waves at a frequency and energy to cause the vesicles to rupture; and (iii) simultaneously receiving ultrasonic emissions from the insonated vesicles at a harmonic of the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves and generating an image of said region from the received ultrasonic emissions.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating a patient comprising the steps of: (i) administering to the patient a quantity of vesicles; (ii) insonating the vesicles in a region of the patient with therapeutic ultrasonic waves at a frequency and energy to cause the vesicles to rupture; and (iii) simultaneously receiving ultrasonic emissions from the insonated vesicles at a harmonic of the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves and generating an image of said region from the received ultrasonic emissions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the therapeutic ultrasonic waves comprise continuous-wave ultrasonic signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the therapeutic ultrasonic waves are pulsed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the harmonic at which the ultrasonic emissions of said vesicles are received comprises a second harmonic of the frequency of said therapeutic ultrasonic waves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said image is generated in real-time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 15 further comprising the step of monitoring the vesicles using diagnostic ultrasonic waves to determined the presence of the vesicles in said region prior to said insonating step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the vesicles are administered intravenously.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the vesicles are combined with a bioactive agent to form a vesicle formulation, rupture of the vesicles causing release of the bioactive agent into the region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said insonating step is performed using a plurality of therapeutic transducer elements, and said receiving step is performed simultaneously using a plurality of diagnostic transducer elements, wherein the plurality of therapeutic transducer elements are located centrally of the plurality of diagnostic transducer elements on a common platform.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves is in the range of about 0.75 to about 3.0 MHz.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 24 wherein the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves is in the range of about 1.0 to about 2.0 MHz.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein the energy of said therapeutic ultrasonic waves is in the range of about 0.05 W/cm 2 to about 5.0 W/cm 2 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 26 wherein the energy of said therapeutic ultrasonic waves is in the range of about 0.2 W/cm 2 to about 2.5 W/cm 2 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |