Ultrasound therapy head with movement control

Abstract

A therapy head for use in HIFU procedures is described. The therapy head has an enclosure with a window, an energy applicator and a means of moving the energy applicator within the enclosure. The therapy head uses motors and actuators to move the energy applicator, usually an ultrasound transducer, inside the enclosure. A controller is provided either internally or externally that allows the therapy head to identify and distinguish locations where the therapy head should be to radiate energy into a patient. The controller uses the motors and actuators to move the energy applicator into the desired locations.

1 . A therapy head comprising:
 an enclosure having a window, said enclosure being adapted to be manipulated by hand;   at least one directional energy applicator suspended within said enclosure;   a first pivoting slider within the housing;   a first motor coupled to pivot the first pivoting slider;   a second pivoting slider within the housing intersecting the first pivoting slider at an intersection; and   a second motor coupled to pivot the second pivoting slider;   wherein the directional energy applicator is supported at the intersection of the sliders so that the energy applicator moves as the motors pivot the sliders and change their angle of intersection.   
     
     
         2 . A therapy head as in  claim 1 , further comprising a transducer carriage having joint receptacles which move over the first and second pivoting sliders. 
     
     
         3 . A therapy head as in  claim 1 , further comprising a positioner coupled to the first and second motors. 
     
     
         4 . The therapy head as described in  claim 3 , wherein said positioner further comprising a plurality of encoders for measuring movement within said enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The therapy head of  claim 3 , wherein said motors are electric motors. 
     
     
         6 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein said window is a transmissible window for said energy applicator. 
     
     
         7 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein said energy applicator is an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         8 . The energy applicator of  claim 7 , wherein said ultrasound transducer is a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         9 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein the energy applicator is a component ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         10 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein the positioner for maneuvering said energy applicator includes one or more position sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein said window is a disposable transducer seal. 
     
     
         12 . The therapy head of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure further comprises a horizontal water tight partition defining an upper enclosure and a lower enclosure, said upper enclosure containing said means for maneuvering and said lower enclosure containing said energy applicator, said window being in said lower enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The therapy head of  claim 12 , further comprising a fluid circulation system for circulating a coupling fluid through said lower enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . A system for directional application of energy over a body surface, the system comprising:
 the therapy head of  claim 1 ; and   a controller adapted for controlling movement of the energy applicator within the enclosure.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further adapted to control dosage delivered from the applicator to the tissue. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller includes a library of data used to coordinate movement and dosage. 
     
     
         17 . A method of delivering ultrasound energy to a body surface, said method comprising:
 engaging a hand held enclosure against a body surface;   positioning the enclosure manually over one location on the body surface; and   controlling a first motor and a second motor connected to a first rotational actuator and a second rotational actuator, respectively, to control the movement of an energy applicator according to a predetermined program within the hand held enclosure while the enclosure remains stationary relative to the body surface;   wherein controlling the first motor rotates the first rotational actuator and controlling the second motor rotates the second rotational actuator to position the intersection of a pair of sliders carried by the actuators, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is selectively positioned over the body surface.   
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer is carried on a transducer carriage slidably mounted on the sliders.