HIFU applicator

摘要

An applicator for providing HIFU therapy to a patient includes a HIFU transducer that is rotatably coupled to a frame. In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling is configured such that the HIFU transducer can be mechanically oriented to position a focal zone of the HIFU transducer at any desired location in a treatment volume radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the applicator while the HIFU transducer remains within a housing that is not more than a defined percentage (e.g., 50%) larger than the maximum diameter of the HIFU transducer. In one embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with a ball and socket joint. In another embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with an offset gimble assembly. A pair of linear actuators and drive shafts engage the HIFU transducer to orient HIFU transducer in a desired direction.

主权项

1. A HIFU applicator configured to deliver high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) signals to a treatment volume, comprising:
a frame; a HIFU transducer movably coupled to the frame and configured to deliver HIFU treatment signals to a focal zone; a mechanism configured to mechanically orient the HIFU transducer with respect to the frame such that the focal zone of the HIFU transducer can be positioned radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the HIFU applicator, wherein the mechanism includes a plurality of movable drive shafts, each drive shaft being connected to a linkage that couples the HIFU transducer to the drive shaft, and wherein at least one of the linkages coupling the HIFU transducer to a drive shaft is not axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the HIFU applicator; and a housing surrounding the HIFU transducer, wherein the HIFU transducer has a maximum diameter in a transverse plane defined across the HIFU transducer, and wherein the housing has an inner diameter that is not more than 50% larger than the maximum diameter of the HIFU transducer, wherein the mechanism configured to mechanically orient the HIFU transducer provides the HIFU transducer with a center of rotation that is located substantially at the transverse plane of the HIFU transducer, and wherein, when the HIFU transducer is oriented in a centered position in which the transverse plane of the HIFU transducer is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the HIFU applicator, the focal zone of the HIFU transducer is positioned within the treatment volume approximately inline with the longitudinal axis of the HIFU applicator.