Ultrasound systems and methods for treatng ischemic limbs or tissue affected by peripheral arterial disease

Abstract

A method of treating tissue within a body includes aiming an ultrasound transducer towards target tissue, and delivering ultrasound energy towards the target tissue to thereby reduce pain at the target tissue. A method of treating tissue within a body includes aiming an ultrasound transducer towards target tissue, and delivering ultrasound energy towards the target tissue to increase nitric oxide at the target tissue. An ultrasound system includes a first ultrasound transducer for emitting ultrasound energy from outside a patient, and drive circuitry coupled to the first ultrasound transducer, wherein the drive circuitry is configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency that is between 20 kHz and 100 kHz for the first ultrasound transducer.

1 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a transducer comprising a plurality of individual transducer elements configured to emit ultrasound energy from outside a patient to target tissue within the patient;   a driver operatively connected to the plurality of transducer elements, the driver configured to deliver drive signals to the plurality of transducer elements;   a controller configured to control a phase component of the drive signals to respective transducer elements to move a focal zone to a desired location within the target tissue; and   a securing device configured to secure the transducer relative to the patient.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the focal zone to a desired location comprises movement of a focal distance. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the amplitude of ultrasound energy emitted from the plurality of transducer elements. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling membrane configured to be interposed between the transducer and a skin of the patient. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the driver and controller are disposed directly on a common supporting structure. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure comprises a first frame and a second frame rotatably coupled to the first frame. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a spring secured to the first and second frames and configured to bias the first and second frames to a closed configuration. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , the driver comprising an electrical oscillator configured to generate drive signals in the range between 20 kHz and 100 kHz. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophone. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a Doppler ultrasound device for measuring a degree of perfusion in the target tissue. 
   
   
       11 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a transducer comprising a plurality of individual transducer elements configured to emit ultrasound energy from outside a patient to target tissue within the patient;   a driver operatively connected to the plurality of transducer elements, the driver configured to deliver drive signals to the plurality of transducer elements;   a controller configured to control a phase component of the drive signals to respective transducer elements to move a focal zone to a desired location within the target tissue; and   a structure for carrying the transducer.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure comprises a surface configured to support a limb of the patient. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the surface is curvilinear. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the surface is flat. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a supports stand coupled to the structure. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure comprises a container configured to hold a fluid, the container having a lumen sized to accommodate at least a portion of a limb of the patient. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle coupled to the structure. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a securing device, the securing device disposed on a first portion of the structure, the structure including a second portion that is translatable relative to the first portion. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a hydrophone. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a Doppler ultrasound device for measuring a degree of perfusion in the target tissue.