Patent ID: 6508774
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
Ultrasonic therapy apparatus comprising:(a) an ultrasonic emitter including an array of ultrasonic transducers; (b) a drive and sensing circuit connected to said transducers for applying drive signals to a first set of one or more transducers in said array to thereby cause said first set of transducers to emit therapeutic ultrasonic waves so that said emitted waves are focused at a focal location and heat tissue at such focal location and for acquiring received signals generated by a second set of one or more transducers in said array responsive to ultrasonic waves impinging on said transducers of second set to thereby provide a detected signal representing ultrasonic waves reflected or emanating from said focal location, at least some of the same ones of said transducers being included in said first and second sets during operation of said drive and sensing circuits; and (c) a feedback control circuit responsive to said detected signal for producing a feedback signal indicating whether cavitation has occurred or is likely to occur at said focal location and adjusting said drive circuit so as to alter or terminate said emitted therapeutic ultrasonic waves in response to said feedback signal.