System and method providing directional ultrasound therapy to skeletal joints

a technology of directional ultrasound and skeletal joints, applied in the field of system and method for delivering therapeutic levels of energy to tissue, can solve the problems of affecting the function of tissue or its function, affecting the quality of life of patients, so as to stimulate cellular metabolism

a technology of directional ultrasound and skeletal joints, applied in the field of system and method for delivering therapeutic levels of energy to tissue, can solve the problems of affecting the function of tissue or its function, affecting the quality of life of patients, so as to stimulate cellular metabolism

US20060241576A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-10-26RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
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  • System and method providing directional ultrasound therapy to skeletal joints
  • System and method providing directional ultrasound therapy to skeletal joints
  • System and method providing directional ultrasound therapy to skeletal joints

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Embodiment Construction

[0209] Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is intended to provide thermal treatment to spinal joints, and in particular intervertebral discs as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2, as embodied in the apparatus shown and characterized by way of the various modes of operation with respect to certain intended anatomical environments of use variously throughout FIGS. 3-65D. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that the method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein.

[0210] As an initial introduction, various respective aspects, modes, embodiments, variations, and features of the invention are herein shown and described, both broadly and in variously increasing levels of detail. Each provides individual benefit, either in its own regard, or in the ability to provide enhanced modes of operation and therap...

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Abstract

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 349,207 filed on Jan. 15, 2002, and also from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 351,827 filed on Jan. 23, 2002; and also U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 410,603 filed on Sep. 12, 2002; and also 60 / 411,401 filed on Sep. 16, 2002. The disclosures of these U.S. provisional patent applications are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention is a system and method for delivering therapeutic levels of energy to tissue in a living body. More specifically, it is a system and method for delivering therapeutic levels of ultrasound energy invasively within the body in order to treat disorders associated w...

Claims

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Application Information

Patent Timeline
26 Oct 2006
Publication
US20060241576A1
IPC
A61B18/04; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61B17/00; A61B19/00; A61N7/00; A61N7/02
CPC
A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00101; A61B2017/00261; A61B2019/5236; A61N7/02; A61N7/022; A61N2007/003; A61N2007/0056
Inventors
DIEDERICH, CHRIS J.; LOTZ, JEFFREY C.