Patent classifications
A61B2017/22007
SYSTEM FOR TREATING THROMBUS IN BODY LUMENS
The present disclosure relates generally to thrombectomy devices. An exemplary catheter comprises: an emitter assembly comprising at least one emitter; wherein each emitter comprises an electrode pair, and wherein each emitter is configured to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles when a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes; an infusion lumen formed by at least a portion of an outer wall of the catheter, the infusion lumen configured to receive a conductive fluid, wherein the emitter assembly is housed within the infusion lumen, wherein a distal segment of the infusion lumen includes a plurality of holes on the portion of the outer wall of the catheter, and wherein the plurality of holes are configured to release the conductive fluid and the plurality of cavitation bubbles out of the catheter to treat thrombus at a treatment site; an aspiration lumen including aspiration ports at the distal segment thereof.
AVOIDING MRI-INTERFERENCE WITH CO-EXISTING SYSTEMS
MRI interference with a co-existing ultrasound system may be reduced or avoided by carrying out RF-sensitive operations of the treatment system only when gradient field activity of the MRI system is suppressed.
Ultrasonic robotic cleaner freely movable back and forth inside a blood vessel
An ultrasonic robotic cleaner freely movable back and forth inside a blood vessel, having an elongated shell, electrical driving mechanisms, a storage battery, and a high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit; each electrical driving mechanism is formed by propellers, an ultra-micro motor, and a gear assembly; the high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit and the storage battery are mounted inside the elongated shell; the high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit and the ultra-micro motor are electrically connected with the storage battery; the electrical driving mechanisms are disposed at two ends of the elongated shell respectively. The robotic cleaner moves inside the blood vessel and achieves blood cavitation so that blood lipids are fragmented into finer particles which are eventually burnt due to peroxidation and metabolism and transformed into energy, water and CO.sub.2.
Systems and methods for avoiding MRI-originated interference with concurrently used systems
MRI interference with a concurrently operated system may be reduced or corrected by subtracting the MRI interference from signals measured using the concurrently operated system. Various approaches for performing MRI of an anatomic region in conjunction with a radio-frequency-sensitive (RF-sensitive) measurement of the region using a concurrently operated system include the steps of performing an MR scan sequence with the concurrently operated system idle; detecting intervals during the MR scan sequence when an RF level is sufficient to interfere with the RF-sensitive measurement storing data indicative of a temporal extent of the MR scan sequence and the detected intervals; and based at least in part on the stored data, simultaneously performing the scan sequence and operating the concurrently operated system but obtaining the RF-sensitive measurement only during times not corresponding to the recorded intervals.
CONTROL OF EXOGENOUS AGENT CHARACTERISTICS IN MICROBUBBLE-MEDIATED ULTRASOUND PROCEDURES
Various approaches for microbubble-enhanced ultrasound treatment of target tissue include retrieving a treatment plan stored in memory; causing administration of an exogenous agent in accordance with the treatment plan; causing, in accordance with the treatment plan, an ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue and generate a focus therein in the presence of administered exogenous agent; receiving, from a monitoring system, a measured parameter value indicating a treatment condition in response to administration of the exogenous agent and transmission of the ultrasound waves during treatment; and adjusting the treatment plan based at least in part on the measured parameter value.
Electrically-induced fluid filled balloon catheter
The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages, but the present disclosure also provides devices and method for assisting the guidewire in penetrating an occlusion, devices and method for using a sealable valve in the tip of the balloon catheter to reduce the overall size and diameter of the balloon catheter, thereby allowing the balloon catheter to penetrate smaller size blood vessels and devices. Given the persistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), there remains a need for improved therapeutic methods designed not only to reduce vascular blockages in the short term, but also to prevent future complications such as restenosis.
Apparatus and method for reducing laser beam attentuation in a liquid medium
A method of treating a mobile target tissue with a laser beam includes: providing a laser device for generating a laser beam and providing an optical fiber having a delivery end for guiding the laser beam to the target tissue; a controller causes the laser device to generate one or more laser pulses substantially along the same longitudinal axis. The controller causes the laser device to provide one or more laser pulses. The one or more pulses are selected to allow a vapor bubble formed by the one or more pulse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue. The one or more pulses are delivered to the target tissue through the vapor bubble after the vapor bubble has reached its maximum extent and has begun to collapse to reduce retropulsion of the mobile target tissue.
Method for controlling histotripsy using confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond ultrasound pulses
A method for controlling a histotripsy using a confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond ultrasound pulses, including: 1) positioning a target tissue by a monitoring and guiding system and adjusting a position of the target tissue to a focal point of a transducer; 2) first stage: controlling the confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond ultrasound pulses to form a shock wave in a focal zone; wherein a negative acoustic pressure exceeds a cavitation threshold; an inertial cavitation occurs to generate boiling bubbles; the boiling bubbles collapse and achieve partial homogenization of the target tissue; 3) second stage: controlling the confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond pulsed-ultrasound sequences to simultaneously irradiate a target zone and further mechanically disintegrate and homogenize the target tissue.
Boiling Histotripsy Methods and Systems for Uniform Volumetric Ablation of an Object by High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Waves with Shocks
An example method includes generating an acoustic ultrasound wave that is focused at a focal point. The method further includes sequentially directing the focal point upon distinct portions of an object to form respective shock waves at the distinct portions of the object. The method further includes, via the respective shock waves, causing the distinct portions of the object to boil and form respective vapor cavities. The method further includes causing substantially uniform ablation of a region of the object that comprises the distinct portions. The substantially uniform ablation is caused via interaction of the respective shock waves with the respective vapor cavities. An example ablation system and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium, both related to the example method, are also disclosed.
Ultrasonic needle and apparatus applied for vitrectomy
This disclosure disclosed an ultrasonic needle and apparatus used for removal of the vitreous body and other tissues. An ultrasonic vitrectomy needle, comprising: a connector, a connected inner needle, and an outer sheath. The length of the outer sheath at the distal end is slightly longer than that of the inner needle; the sheath distal end is of blind with smooth surface, but there is an open cut at the side of the distal end used for aspirating the vitreous body. The benefits of this disclosure: due to the difficulty if not impossible in the prior arts making a slim long center bore needle for ultrasonic surgical system, this disclosure clears the way to make the ultrasonic vitrectomy a practical reality; the ultrasonic vibration inherent advantages of the quietness, minuscule displacement, liquid repulsion and viscosity reduction improve safety of the surgery; the possibility of integrating ultrasonic vitrectomy and ultrasonic phaco emulsification procedures simplifies the complexity from prior arts, thus brings ease to the ophthalmic surgeries and reduces the cost.