Systems and methods for creating longer necrosed volumes using a phased array focused ultrasound system

• Main Authors: MAOR DOV, VITEK SHUKI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.09.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ACOUSTICS; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEAF-AID SETS; DIAGNOSIS; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; ELECTROTHERAPY; FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL; GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKEACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; MAGNETOTHERAPY; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICALVIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING,NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS; RADIATION THERAPY; SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; SURGERY; TRANSPORTING; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

A system for performing a therapeutic procedure using focused ultrasound includes a transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements, drive circuitry coupled to the transducer elements, and a controller coupled to the drive circuitry. The controller controls the drive circuitry to alternatively provide sets of the transducer elements with respective drive signals. Each of the sets of transducer elements are alternatively driven with the respective drive signals for a predetermined duration during a sonication, while substantially continuously focusing ultrasonic energy produced by the transducer elements of each set at a desired focal zone. The controller also controls a phase component of the respective drive signals to provide a predetermined size, shape, and/or location of the focal zone, and thereby necrose a target tissue region at the focal zone.