THERMAL TREATMENT METHODS AND APPARATUS WITH FOCUSED ENERGY APPLICATION

摘要

A collapsible ultrasonic reflector incorporates a gasfilled reflector balloo n (50), a liquid-filled structural balloon (28) and an ultrasonic transducer (20) disposed within the structural balloon. Acoustic energy emitted by the transducer is reflected by a highly reflective interface between the balloon s. In a cardiac ablation procedure, the ultrasonic energy is focused into an annular focal regions (44) to ablate cardiac tissue extending in an annular path along the wall. Devices for stabilizing the balloon structure and for facilitating collapse and withdrawal of the balloon structure are also disclosed.