Patent ID: 8052604

Claim:
A combined imaging/high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, comprising: an imaging scan head adapted for imaging target tissue in the patient; a HIFU transducer having an aperture through which HIFU energy can be transmitted to the target tissue; an outlet port configured to direct a flow of fluid from the outlet port across at least a portion of the aperture of the HIFU transducer; a first channel in fluid connection with the outlet port for delivering a flow of fluid to the outlet port; a cover in sealing engagement with the HIFU transducer, wherein the cover is comprised of a non-permeable material, and wherein the cover has at least one perforation defined therethrough that allows fluid to flow through the cover; and an inlet port positioned between the cover and the HIFU transducer, wherein the inlet port is connected to a second channel that conveys fluid away from the HIFU transducer, wherein the combined imaging/HIFU probe is configured to allow fluid flow from the outlet port to flow through the at least one perforation in the cover to fill at least a portion of a body cavity with fluid in which the imaging scan head and HIFU transducer are immersed and to direct the fluid flow from the outlet port such that the fluid is capable of flushing an area of tissue in the body cavity near the aperture of the HIFU transducer, wherein the outlet port is positioned between the cover and the HIFU transducer such that fluid from the outlet port is configured to flow through the at least one perforation in the cover toward the area in the body cavity near the aperture of the HIFU transducer, the fluid being configured to provide a coupling for transmission of ultrasound energy between the combined imaging/HIFU probe and the patient, and the flushing near the aperture of the HIFU transducer being configured to reduce obstructions to the transmission of HIFU energy, and wherein the combined imaging/HIFU probe is configured to draw a higher flow of fluid from the HIFU transducer through the inlet port than the flow of fluid that flows from the HIFU transducer through the at least one perforation in the cover.