Methods of using high intensity focused ultrasound to form an ablated tissue area containing a plurality of lesions

Abstract

A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method of eliminating the need for at least one surgical incision for the treatment of a medical condition by creating a plurality of ablative lesions in an area of tissue of a patient, the method comprising: 
 positioning an ultrasound emitting member adjacent the area of tissue;    emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member in the range of about 0.5 to 12 MHz into the area of tissue;    moving the ultrasound emitting member along the area of tissue;    focusing the ultrasound energy in a plurality of spaced focusing zones contained in the area of tissue; and    heating the area of tissue at the focusing zones with the focused ultrasound energy for a duration in the range of about 2 to 60 seconds to achieve a temperature in the range of about 60 to 90 degrees Celsius to form the plurality of ablative lesions in the area of tissue.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the area of tissue is in the patient and the step of positioning includes positioning the ultrasound member adjacent the area of tissue from a remote position.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the remote position is external to the patient.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the ultrasound energy is focused below the surface of the tissue while the ultrasound emitting member is moved along the surface of the tissue.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the ultrasound emitting member comprises a plurality of ultrasound emitting elements.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of selecting the ultrasound emitting elements to emit ultrasound energy.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the step of simultaneously emitting ultrasound energy from the selected ultrasound emitting elements into the area of tissue.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the plurality of ablative lesions form a single continuous lesion.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of heating includes forming the plurality of ablative lesions in the area of tissue so that the plurality of ablative lesions do not contact one another.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of heating includes forming the plurality of ablative lesions in the area of tissue so that at least one of the plurality of ablative lesions contacts another of the plurality of ablative lesions.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of heating includes forming the plurality of ablative lesions in the area of tissue so that the plurality of ablative lesions merge to form a single continuous lesion.  
   
   
       38 . A method of eliminating the need for at least one surgical incision for the treatment of a medical condition by creating a plurality of overlapping ablative lesions in an area of tissue of a patient, the method comprising: 
 positioning an ultrasound emitting member adjacent the area of tissue;    emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member in the range of about 0.5 to 12 MHz into the area of tissue;    focusing the ultrasound energy in a plurality of spaced focusing zones contained in the area of tissue; and    heating the area of tissue at the focusing zones with the focused ultrasound energy for a duration in the range of about 2 to 60 seconds to achieve a temperature in the range of about 60 to 90 degrees Celsius to form the plurality of overlapping ablative lesions in the area of tissue.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the area of tissue is in the patient and the step of positioning includes positioning the ultrasound member adjacent the area of tissue from a remote position.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the remote position is external to the patient.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the ultrasound energy is focused below the surface of the tissue while the ultrasound emitting member is moved along the surface of the tissue.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the ultrasound emitting member comprises a plurality of ultrasound emitting elements.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42  further comprising the step of selecting the ultrasound emitting elements to emit ultrasound energy.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising the step of simultaneously emitting ultrasound energy from the selected ultrasound emitting elements into the area of tissue.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the plurality of overlapping ablative lesions form a single continuous lesion.