US 2004/0106880 A1 · Use of focused ultrasound for vascular sealing

Abstract

An ultrasonic applicator unit (2) is used diagnostically to locate a puncture wound (316) in an artery and then therapeutically to seal the puncture wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). A control unit (6) coupled to the applicator unit includes a processor (74) that automates the procedure, controlling various parameters of the diagnostic and therapeutic modes, including the intensity and duration of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the applicator unit. A protective, sterile acoustic shell (4), which is intended to be used with a single patient and then discarded, is slipped over the applicator unit to protect against direct contact between the applicator unit and the patient and to maintain a sterile field at the site of the puncture. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable to sealing a puncture made when inserting a catheter into an artery or other vessel. Several different procedures are described for locating the puncture wound, including imaging the vessel in which the puncture is disposed and use of a locator rod to determine the disposition of the puncture along the longitudinal axis of the artery.

Claims50

Dependent claims

A method for closing a puncture in a vascular vessel of a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a site of the puncture in the vascular vessel;
(b) positioning an ultrasonic transducer applicator at a position adjacent to the site that was determined;
(c) coupling the ultrasonic transducer applicator to a control that includes a processor programmed to control administration of ultrasonic energy to efficaciously seal a puncture;
and
(d) enabling a user to initiate a process that is controlled by the control, said control automatically controlling the ultrasonic transducer applicator so that the ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer applicator is focused at the site and is administered to the site at a sufficient intensity and duration to denature tissue at the puncture, closing and sealing the puncture.

2 more elements

A method for closing a puncture in a vascular vessel of a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a site of the puncture in the vascular vessel;
(b) providing a protective applicator shell for an ultrasonic transducer;
(c) mating the ultrasonic transducer with the protective applicator shell to provide an ultrasonic transducer applicator;
(d) positioning the ultrasonic transducer applicator externally on the patient, adjacent to the site determined for the puncture in the vascular vessel;
(e) energizing the ultrasonic transducer applicator to administer ultrasonic energy to the puncture in the vascular system, said ultrasonic energy denaturing tissue at the puncture, closing and sealing the puncture.

2 more elements

Apparatus adapted to seal a puncture in a vascular vessel of a patient, comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer applicator that controllably radiates ultrasonic energy and which is adapted to:
(i) couple the ultrasonic energy into a body of a patient;
(ii) controllably focus the ultrasonic energy on a puncture disposed in a vascular vessel of a patient;
and
(iii) administer the ultrasonic energy to the site at an intensity sufficient to denature tissue, closing and sealing the puncture;
and
(b) a controller that is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer applicator, said controller including a processor and a memory in which are stored machine instructions, said machine instructions, when executed by the processor, causing it to control a plurality of parameters affecting administration of the ultrasonic energy to the site by the ultrasonic transducer applicator, said parameters being controlled by the processor so as to efficaciously close and seal a puncture in a vascular system of a patient.

4 more elements

Apparatus adapted to seal a puncture in a vascular vessel of a patient, comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer that controllably radiates ultrasonic energy and which is adapted to:
(i) controllably focus the ultrasonic energy on a site where a puncture is disposed in a vascular system of a patient;
and
(ii) generate ultrasonic energy at an intensity sufficient to denature tissue, closing and sealing a puncture;
and
(b) a protective applicator shell sized to fit over the ultrasonic transducer and including a facing surface adapted to contact an external surface of a patient's body at the site where a transdermal puncture extends into a vascular vessel of a patient, said protective applicator shell coupling the ultrasonic generated by the ultrasonic transducer into a patient's body at the site and protecting against the ultrasonic transducer directly contacting a patient while a puncture is being closed and sealed by the ultrasonic energy.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Use of focused ultrasound for vascular sealing

Life of this patent

Use of focused ultrasound for vascular sealing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims50