Method and apparatus for non-invasively treating patent foramen ovale using high intensity focused ultrasound

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for non-invasively treating patent foramen ovale using an ultrasound imaging system and a high intensity focused ultrasound system to selectively target high intensity ultrasound energy on either or both of a patient's septum primum or septum secundum.

1 . An apparatus for non-invasively treating patent foramen ovale comprising: 
 a housing;    an ultrasound imaging system disposed within the housing;    a high intensity focused ultrasound system disposed within the housing in alignment with the ultrasound imaging system;    a controller operably connected to the ultrasound imaging system and high intensity focused ultrasound system to selectively target high intensity ultrasound energy on either or both of a patient's septum primum or septum secundum; and    a fluid-filled balloon coupled to the housing to adjust a location of a focal point of the high intensity focused ultrasound system.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient's septum primum and septum secundum are apposed during treatment.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein apposition of the patient's septum primum and septum secundum is achieved noninvasively using drugs, noninvasive procedures, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein increased contact pressure between the patient's septum primum and septum secundum is achieved noninvasively using drugs, noninvasive procedures, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to apply energy to either or both of the septum primum or septum secundum from outside a patient's body.  
     
     
         6 . A method of non-invasively treating patent foramen ovale comprising: 
 providing a housing having an ultrasound imaging system and a high intensity focused ultrasound system disposed in alignment with the ultrasound imaging system;    contacting the housing against a patient's body; and    operating the ultrasound imaging system to generate an image of a portion of cardiac tissue; and operating the high intensity focused ultrasound system, guided by the image, to heat or ablate either or both of a patient's septum primum or septum secundum.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising generating and displaying a marker corresponding to a focal point of the high intensity focused ultrasound system on the image.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising modifying a location of the target site by adjusting a location of a focal point of the high intensity focused ultrasound system.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising disposing a fluid-filled balloon between the patient's body and the housing to adjust a location of a focal point of the high intensity focused ultrasound system.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising apposing the patient's septum primum and septum secundum noninvasively using drugs, noninvasive procedures, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising increasing contact pressure between the patient's septum primum and septum secundum is noninvasively using drugs, noninvasive procedures, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein contacting comprises engaging the housing on an outside surface of the patient's body.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein contacting comprises engaging the housing on an esophageal surface of the patient's body.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein contacting the housing comprises introducing the housing in a patient's heart chamber.