Patent ID: 11426611

Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a precision ultrasound scanner for imaging, for example, the prostate in a way that produces a superior image of the prostate while removing the iatrogenic risk and patient discomfort associated with other methods of providing an ultrasound image of the prostate. The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for forming a high precision image of the prostate from outside the patient's body wherein the resolution in sufficient to image, for example, cancerous lesions on the surface of the prostate. To achieve such images, coded excitation, tissue harmonic imaging, advanced transducers operating in the 10 MHz to 40 MHz range is used to achieve a useable signal-to-noise reflection while being able to position the imaging transducer as close as possible to the prostate without risk or discomfort to the patient. The present disclosure further discloses an imaging transducer and an irradiating therapeutic transducer can be mounted such that they are movable between a plurality of positions. The irradiating transducer is, for example, about a 12 MHz transducer with a focal length of about 20 mm to about 40 mm that would produce a strong second harmonic at about 24 MHz that could be used for imaging. The imaging transducer has, for example, a focal length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm and typically operates in the range of about 25 MHz to about 40 MHz.