Method and apparatus for combined diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound system incorporating noninvasive thermometry, ablation control and automation

摘要

A method for treating a medical pathology includes receiving a first set of acoustic radiation scattered by a volume of tissue containing at least a portion of the medical pathology and thereafter, changing a temperature of the volume of tissue. The method also includes thereafter, receiving a second set of acoustic radiation scattered by the volume of tissue and localizing the portion of the medical pathology from the first and second sets of received acoustic radiation. Localizing the portion of the medical pathology comprises identifying the medical pathology from differences in the first and second sets of received acoustic radiation resulting from the change in temperature. The method also includes insonifying the portion of the medical pathology with sufficient energy to damage the portion of the medical pathology.