Focused ultrasound system for small bore imaging
AssigneeSunnybrook Research Institute
InventorsKullervo Hynynen, Anthony Chau, Rajiv Chopra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A focused ultrasound (“FUS”} system capable of use in a small bore imaging system, such as a small bore magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. The FUS system generally includes an ultrasound transducer whose position is adjusted by a positioning system. The positioning system is sized to fit within the bore of the small bore imaging system. For instance, the positioning system can fit within a diameter of 150 millimeters or less.
Claims11
A focused ultrasound system capable of use in a small bore imaging system, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer configured to emit a beam of focused ultrasound energy toward a subject;
- a positioning system sized to fit within a bore of a small bore imaging system and capable of positioning the ultrasound transducer to localize the beam of focused ultrasound energy within a target location in the subject, the positioning system comprising
- a motor assembly configured to translate the ultrasound transducer along at least one direction, wherein the bore of the small bore imaging system has a diameter less than 150 millimeters;
- a transducer mounting assembly coupled to the ultrasound transducer and configured to selectively adjust a position of the ultrasound transducer in a lateral direction such that the ultrasound transducer can be translated along a full lateral dimension of the focused ultrasound system without extending beyond a spatial extent of the focused ultrasound system;
- and
- a control system in communication with the positioning system and configured to control the motor assembly so as to position the ultrasound transducer to localize the beam of focused ultrasound energy within the target location in the subject.
A focused ultrasound system capable of use in a small bore imaging system, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer configured to emit a beam of focused ultrasound energy toward a subject;
- a positioning system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and capable of translating a position of the ultrasound transducer in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction, the positioning system being sized to fit within a bore of a small bore imaging system, wherein the bore of the small bore imaging system has a diameter less than 150 millimeters;
- a transducer mounting assembly coupled to the ultrasound transducer and configured to selectively adjust the position of the ultrasound transducer in the lateral direction such that the ultrasound transducer can be translated along a full lateral dimension of the focused ultrasound system without extending beyond a spatial extent of the focused ultrasound system;
- and
- a control system in communication with the positioning system and configured to control the positioning system so as to adjust the position of the ultrasound transducer to localize a focal spot of the beam of focused ultrasound energy within a target location in the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.