US 6,719,694 B2 · Ultrasound transducers for imaging and therapy

Abstract

Ultrasound applicators able to both image a treatment site and administer ultrasound therapy include an array of transducer elements that can be focused. In several embodiments, an electronically phased array is used for controlling the focal point of an ultrasound beam. The ultrasound beam produced thereby can also be electronically steered. To reduce the quality factor or Q of the array when the array is used for imaging, an electronic switch is selectively closed, placing a resistance in parallel with each of the array elements. A flexible array is employed in several embodiments and is selectively bent or flexed to vary its radius of curvature and thus control the focal point and/or a direction of focus of the array. In another embodiment, each of the transducer elements comprising the array are individually mechanically pivotable to steer the ultrasonic beam produced by the transducer elements.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An ultrasound applicator that is capable of both ultrasound imaging and administering ultrasound therapy to a site, comprising:

(a) a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements configured in an array and mounted in a housing;
(b) a plurality of conductors adapted to couple a control system to the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, for conveying signals that energize the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements in one of an imaging mode and a therapy mode;
and
(c) a quality factor circuit adapted to couple to the control system and connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, said quality factor circuit including a switch movable between a first position and a second position, the switch being selectively actuated into one of the first position and the second position to select a quality factor associated with the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements based upon whether the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements are operated in the imaging mode or the therapy mode, such that when the switch is in the first position, a bandwidth of each energized transducer is wider relative to a bandwidth of the energized transducer when the switch is in the second position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasound transducers for imaging and therapy

Life of this patent

Ultrasound transducers for imaging and therapy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22