Patent ID: 8500641
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N,B06B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for application of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging and therapy comprising: a controller; a two-dimensional ultrasound imaging array of transducer elements coupled to beamforming and steering electronics of an image signal transmitter and receiver that forms, steers and selectively focuses ultrasound beams to provide three-dimensional images of a three-dimensional moving or stationary spatial volume in response to being controlled by the controller; and a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound therapy arrays of transducer elements, each array coupled to beamforming and steering electronics of a therapy signal transmitter that forms, steers and selectively focuses and delivers ultrasound therapy to the volume in response to being controlled by the controller; wherein the location of the array of imaging and therapy transducer elements are known relative to one another, further wherein the plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound therapy arrays of transducer elements is located in a two-dimensional annular space between two concentric circles, wherein the elements of the plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound therapy arrays are (a) circular in shape and (b) randomly distributed throughout the respective therapy array, and the two-dimensional imaging array of transducer elements is located within a two-dimensional space of an inner circle of the two concentric circles, further wherein the plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound therapy arrays comprises different two-dimensional therapy arrays located around the imaging array in a circular fashion, the different two-dimensional therapy arrays for providing (i) therapy in different spatial volumes, (ii) different therapy regimens including different ultrasound wave frequencies and (iii) different tissue penetration depths, wherein the controller controls the beamforming and steering electronics of the image transmitter and receiver to provide three-dimensional images of the volume and simultaneously independently controls beamforming and steering electronics of each of the plurality of therapy transmitters to deliver therapy to the volume.