US6083159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for providing acoustic hemostasis
Assignee: THS International Inc
•
Filing: 1999-06-04
•
Granted: 2000-07-04
•
Expires: 2019-06-04
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for the remote coagulation of blood using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are provided. A remote hemostasis method comprises identifying a site of internal bleeding and focusing therapeutic ultrasound energy on the site, the energy being focused through an intervening tissue. An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprises a focused therapeutic ultrasound radiating surface and a sensor for identifying a site of internal bleeding, with a registration means coupled to the radiating surface and the sensor to bring a focal target and the bleeding site into alignment. The sensor generally comprises a Doppler imaging display. Hemostasis enhancing agents may be introduced to the site for actuation by the ultrasound energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward C. Driscoll, Jr.
- 👤 Larry Crum
- 👤 Wing K. Law
- 👤 Stan DeMarta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B5/00; A61B5/41; A61B5/414; A61B5/416; A61B8/08; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; A61B8/46; A61B8/461; A61B8/467; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; A61B8/485; A61N; A61N7/00; A61N7/02; A61N7/022; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00274; A61B17/12; A61B2017/12004; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00547; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; A61B8/4405; A61N2007/0056; A61N2007/0065; A61N2007/0078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; emitting therapeutic ultrasound energy from an ultrasound radiating surface; and focusing the emitted therapeutic ultrasound energy to coagulate blood adjacent to the site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; emitting therapeutic ultrasound energy from an ultrasound radiating surface; and focusing the emitted therapeutic ultrasound energy to coagulate blood adjacent to the site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying step comprises Doppler imaging a section of the patient body using a pulsed ultrasound transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the imaging step comprises colorflow imaging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying step comprises locally displacing tissue, monitoring the propagation of tissue displacement, and elasticity imaging a section of the patient body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying step comprises introducing a contrast agent into the bloodstream and angiographically imaging a section of the patient body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying step comprises sensing and isolating a vibrational signature of a vascular breach.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; targeting a therapy region adjacent to the site; generating focused therapeutic ultrasound energy; and applying the focused therapeutic ultrasound energy from a radiating surface to a target within the therapy region.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; targeting a therapy region adjacent to the site; generating focused therapeutic ultrasound energy; and applying the focused therapeutic ultrasound energy from a radiating surface to a target within the therapy region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the targeting step comprises selectively focussing the radiating surface at a target depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the targeting step comprises translating the radiating surface and an ultrasound imaging transducer array relative to the site, the radiating surface and the imaging array being carried by a housing, and the identifying step comprises imaging the site using the imaging array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the therapy region includes a vessel and blood contained within the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the applying step comprises coagulating blood at the target.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the coagulating step comprises heating blood above body temperature to induce thrombosis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the coagulating step comprises mechanically streaming blood and impacting blood against a vessel wall to induce thrombosis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the coagulating step comprises cavitating blood to induce thrombosis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the focusing step further comprises forming a plug within a vessel to occlude the vessel upstream of a vascular breach, a therapy volume extending upstream of the vascular breach.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the applying step comprises cauterizing tissue at the target.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the therapy region includes an organ fracture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the applying step comprises welding tissues at the target.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising mapping coagulated regions.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; introducing an ultrasound hemostasis enhancement agent to the site; generating and emitting therapeutic ultrasound energy from a radiating surface; and focusing the emitted therapeutic ultrasound energy to activate the hemostasis agent adjacent to the site.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for producing remote hemostasis within a patient body, the method comprising: identifying a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; introducing an ultrasound hemostasis enhancement agent to the site; generating and emitting therapeutic ultrasound energy from a radiating surface; and focusing the emitted therapeutic ultrasound energy to activate the hemostasis agent adjacent to the site.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the hemostasis agent foams on the application of ultrasound energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the hemostasis agent comprises a compound including a perfluorocarbon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the hemostasis agent comprises an encapsulated thrombus-producing agent.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising: a radiating surface which applies focused therapeutic ultrasound energy to a target volume to produce remote hemostasis, the target volume being separated from the radiating surface; a sensor which identifies a site at which it is desired to induce hemostasis; and a registration mechanism coupled to the sensor and the radiating surface to align the target volume and the site.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising: a radiating surface which applies focused therapeutic ultrasound energy to a target volume to produce remote hemostasis, the target volume being separated from the radiating surface; a sensor which identifies a site at which it is desired to induce hemostasis; and a registration mechanism coupled to the sensor and the radiating surface to align the target volume and the site.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a therapy depth varying mechanism coupled to the radiating surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the radiating surface comprises a phased array, and wherein the depth varying mechanism comprises a phase controller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the phased array comprises an annular array.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sensor comprises a pulsed ultrasound imaging transducer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a display coupled to the imaging transducer for providing Doppler imaging of the site.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the sensor further comprises a tissue displacement mechanism, the apparatus further comprising an elasticity imaging display coupled to the sensor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a processor coupled to the sensor for isolating a vibrational signal of vascular breaches.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sensor comprises a display for providing angiographic imaging of the site.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the registration mechanism comprises a mechanical linkage between the radiating surface and the sensor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the registration mechanism comprises a position indication system coupled to at least one of the radiating surface and the sensor.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising: a pulsed ultrasound imaging transducer which images a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; an ultrasound radiating surface which focuses therapeutic energy at a target volume to produce remote hemostasis; and a display coupled to the imaging transducer and to the radiating surface, the display indicating the relative positions of the target volume and the site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for producing remote hemostasis comprising: a pulsed ultrasound imaging transducer which images a site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis; an ultrasound radiating surface which focuses therapeutic energy at a target volume to produce remote hemostasis; and a display coupled to the imaging transducer and to the radiating surface, the display indicating the relative positions of the target volume and the site at which it is desired to promote hemostasis.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the radiating surface comprises a phased array having a selectable therapy depth between the radiating surface and the target volume, and wherein the display indicates any difference in depth between the selected therapy depth and the site.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 35, further comprising a structure which carries the imaging transducer and the radiating surface, wherein a translation of the structure relative to the site causes the display to indicate repositioning of the site relative to the target volume.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the display comprises a display for providing Doppler colorflow imaging.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 38 further comprising means for providing feedback on regions of coagulated blood.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 35, further comprising a tissue displacement mechanism coupled to the imaging transducer, wherein the display provides an elasticity image.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 40 further comprising means for providing feedback on both regions of coagulated blood and regions of cauterized tissue.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A remote hemostasis apparatus as claimed in claim 35, further comprising a coagulation memory coupled to the radiating surface and the display so that the display indicates coagulated regions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4237901A
Cited
US4748985A
Cited
US4905672A
Cited
US4784148A
Cited
US4850363A
Cited
US5178135A
Cited
US4913155A
Cited
US4931047A
Cited
US5036855A
Cited
US4938217A
Cited
US5026387A
Cited
US5263957A
Cited
US5233994A
Cited
US5882302A
Cited
US5391197A
Cited
US5402792A
Cited
US5630837A
Cited
US5471988A
Cited
US5513639A
Cited
US5492126A
Cited
US5993389A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |