Devices and Methods for Using Controlled Bubble Cloud Cavitation in Fractionating Urinary Stones

Abstract

A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultrasound therapy system, comprising:
 a first ultrasound therapy transducer configured to deliver to a target ultrasound pulses having a pulse length of 1 cycle and a pulse repetition frequency less than or equal to 2 Hz;   a second ultrasound therapy transducer configured to deliver to the target ultrasound pulses having a pulse length of 3-20 cycles and a pulse repetition frequency less than or equal to 5 kHz; and   a control system configured to switch between delivering therapy from the first therapy transducer to delivering therapy from the second therapy transducer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first ultrasound therapy transducer is configured to apply acoustic pulses that operate at a frequency between approximately 50 KHz and 5 MHz, having a pulse intensity with a peak negative pressure of approximately 10-25 MPa, a peak positive pressure of more than 10 MPa, and a duty cycle less than 0.1%. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second therapy transducer is configured to apply acoustic pulses that operate at a frequency between approximately 50 KHz and 5 MHz, having a pulse intensity with a peak negative pressure of approximately 8-40 MPa, a peak positive pressure of more than 10 MPa, and a duty cycle of less than 5%. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an imaging system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the imaging system comprises a fluoroscopic imaging system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the imaging system comprises an ultrasound imaging system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the imaging system comprises a combination fluoroscopic and ultrasound imaging system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the imaging system is configured to target and track a urinary stone in a patient. 
     
     
         9 . An ultrasound therapy system, comprising:
 a multi-mode therapy transducer configured to deliver acoustic pulses to a target in a first mode in which the pulses have a pulse length of 1 cycle and a pulse repetition frequency less than or equal to 2 Hz and in a second mode in which the pulses have a pulse length of 3-20 cycles and a pulse repetition frequency less than or equal to 5 kHz; and   a control system configured to switch between delivering therapy from the multi-mode therapy transducer in the first mode to delivering therapy from the multi-mode therapy transducer in the second mode.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein in the first mode the multi-mode therapy transducer is configured to apply to the target acoustic pulses that operate at a frequency between approximately 50 KHz and 5 MHz, having a pulse intensity with a peak negative pressure of approximately 10-25 MPa, a peak positive pressure of more than 10 MPa, and a duty cycle less than 0.1%. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the multi-mode therapy transducer is configured to apply acoustic pulses that operate at a frequency between approximately 50 KHz and 5 MHz, having a pulse intensity with a peak negative pressure of approximately 8-40 MPa, a peak positive pressure of more than 10 MPa, and a duty cycle of less than 5%. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising an imaging system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the imaging system comprises a fluoroscopic imaging system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the imaging system comprises an ultrasound imaging system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the imaging system comprises a combination fluoroscopic and ultrasound imaging system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the imaging system is configured to target and track a urinary stone in a patient.