Patent ID: 7070565
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: A61B,A61K,A61N,A61P

Abstract:
1. A hydrogel coupling adapted to be disposed between an ultrasound transducer and a target, wherein the ultrasound transducer exhibits a characteristic focal length that separates a focal region where ultrasound waves emitted from the ultrasound transducer are focused, from the ultrasound transducer, the hydrogel coupling being configured to acoustically couple an ultrasound transducer with a physical boundary associated with a target, wherein the physical boundary is disposed between the ultrasound transducer and the target, said hydrogel coupling comprising: (a) a rigid dimensionally stable hydrogel mass having a proximal surface configured to be disposed adjacent to an ultrasound transducer; and (b) a distal surface configured to acoustically couple with a physical boundary associated with a target, such that a distance between said proximal surface and an outer extent of said distal surface is selected to ensure that a focal region of an ultrasound transducer to which the hydrogel mass is coupled, is disposed proximate to a desired target.