Patent ID: 8088067
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A system for delivering acoustic energy through intervening tissue into a target site within a tissue region, comprising: a transducer array comprising a plurality of transducer elements configured for transmitting acoustic energy along respective pass zones through the intervening tissue towards the target site; an imager for imaging the tissue region, the imager generating image data indicating tissue types of the intervening tissue; a processor coupled to the imager for receiving the image data, the processor configured to determine boundaries between a plurality of tissue types within the intervening tissue and generate correction factors for the transducer elements to compensate for refraction occurring as the acoustic energy passes through the tissue types within the intervening tissue and for variations in speed of sound of the acoustic energy as it passes through the plurality of tissue types within the respective pass zones; and a controller coupled to the processor and the transducer array, the controller configured for receiving the correction factors from the processor and providing excitation signals to the transducer elements based upon the respective correction factors to focus the acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer elements at the target site.