Patent ID: 7520856

Claim:
A method for using ultrasound imaging to guide high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to provide therapy to a treatment site associated with a patient, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an ultrasound imaging transducer at a first location selected to enable an ultrasound image of the treatment site to be obtained; (b) positioning a HIFU transducer at a second location selected to enable a focal point of the HIFU transducer to be directed toward the treatment site; (c) generating an image of the treatment site using the ultrasound imaging transducer; (d) energizing the HIFU transducer at a power level selected such that no therapeutic effect is experienced by tissue exposed to the focal point of the HIFU transducer, while the imaging transducer generates an image of the treatment site; (e) determining if the focal point of the HIFU transducer can be visualized in the image generated by the imaging transducer, and if not, manipulating the position of at least one of the ultrasound imaging transducer and the HIFU transducer until the focal point of the HIFU transducer can be visualized in the image generated by the imaging transducer; (f) fixing a spatial relationship and orientation between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the HIFU transducer, using a frame, thereby ensuring that subsequent movement of the ultrasound imaging transducer, the HIFU transducer, or the patient will not change the spatial orientation between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the HIFU transducer, the frame comprising: (i) a first bracket configured to selectively pivotably support an imaging probe including the imaging transducer; and (ii) a second bracket configured to movably support a therapy probe including the HIFU transducer; and (g) energizing the HIFU transducer at a power level sufficient to achieve the desired therapy, such that the HIFU transducer is synchronized relative to the ultrasound imaging transducer so that any noise in the image arising from energizing the HIFU transducer is shifted away from a disposition of the treatment site in the image.