Patent ID: 6635054
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
Apparatus for applying energy within the body of a living subject comprising:(a) a probe having a proximal end and a distal end adapted for insertion into the body of the patient; (b) an ultrasonic emitter mounted to the probe assembly adjacent the distal end thereof; (c) an expansible structure mounted on said probe adjacent the distal end thereof, said expansible structure having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, said expansible structure including a reflector balloon having an interior space, said ultrasonic emitter being disposed outside of the interior space of the reflector balloon, said reflector balloon having an active region juxtaposed with the emitter when the expansible structure is in said expanded condition so that ultrasonic energy emitted by said emitter will impinge on the active region from outside of the reflector balloon; whereby when said reflector balloon is inflated with a gas and a liquid is present outside of the reflector balloon, the gas within said reflector balloon and the liquid will form a reflective interface at the active region and ultrasonic energy emitted by said emitter will be reflected from said active region towards tissue of the subject adjacent the expansible structure.