US5733315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacture of a transurethral ultrasound applicator for prostate gland thermal therapy
Assignee: DORNIER MEDTECH AMERICA Inc
•
Filing: 1994-11-01
•
Granted: 1998-03-31
•
Expires: 2014-11-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, comprising a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway, a power lead channeled through the longitudinal central passageway and an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of the support tube. The ultrasound crystal is coupled to the power lead which provides the power to energize the ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland. The ultrasound crystal further includes inactivated portions for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient. A sealant is disposed in contact with the ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy to the prostate gland.
Inventors
- 👤 Everette C. Burdette
- 👤 Chris J. Diederich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B90/00; A61B90/04; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61N7/00; A61N7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, comprising: a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a power lead for providing power and said power lead channeled through said longitudinal central passageway; an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of said support tube and said ultrasound crystal coupled to said power lead which provides the power to energize said ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland, said ultrasound crystal further including means for inactivating selected portions of said ultrasound crystal for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient; and a sealant disposed in contact with said ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy to the prostate gland.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for applying thermal therapy to a prostate gland, comprising: a support tube having a longitudinal central passageway; a power lead for providing power and said power lead channeled through said longitudinal central passageway; an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of said support tube and said ultrasound crystal coupled to said power lead which provides the power to energize said ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland, said ultrasound crystal further including means for inactivating selected portions of said ultrasound crystal for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient; and a sealant disposed in contact with said ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy to the prostate gland.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including an outer covering disposed over said support tube, said outer covering comprising a shrink wrap material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ultrasound crystal comprises a cylindrical shape concentrically disposed about said support tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2407599A1
Cited
US3977408A
Cited
DE2816391A1
Cited
GB2045620A
Cited
US4311154A
Cited
US4378806A
Cited
US4586512A
Cited
US4462408A
Cited
US4662383A
Cited
US4601296A
Cited
US4612940A
Cited
USRE33791E
Cited
US4681122A
Cited
US4671293A
Cited
US5002058A
Cited
US4813429A
Cited
US5167231A
Cited
US4967765A
Cited
US5344435A
Cited
US5090414A
Cited
US4955377A
Cited
EP0370890A1
Cited
US5007437A
Cited
US5158536A
Cited
US5070879A
Cited
US5025778A
Cited
EP0468847A1
Cited
US5351691A
Cited
US5271408A
Cited
WO1993016641A1
Cited
US5526815A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-30 | 2001-09-29 | 2002-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-30 | 2005-09-29 | 2006-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-30 | 2009-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |