Catheter-based ultrasound transducers

Abstract

A multi-angular ultrasound device. Multi-angular ablation patterns are achieved by a catheter based ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer zones.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for ultrasound treatment comprising:
 a catheter,   at least one transducer in communication with the catheter and comprising a plurality of transducer zones;   a cooling system for circulating through the catheter to cool the apparatus and acoustically couple the at least one transducer to a tissue.   wherein the each of the transducer zones is independently operable.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transducer zones comprise a first transducer zone, a second transducer zone, and a third transducer zone 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of transducer zones comprise a first transducer zone, a second transducer zone, a third transducer zone, and a fourth transducer zone. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one transducer is a tubular transducer having a plurality of sectors. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a cooling balloon disposed about the at least one transducer and in communication with the cooling system. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating tissue comprising:
 insert a multizone ultrasonic catheter to a desired depth relative to the tissue;   orient the catheter with respect to rotational angle;   activate one or more zones of the multizone ultrasonic catheter, wherein the activated zones are selected based upon the treatment zone;   monitor temperature and ultrasound dose in the treatment zone;   after a desired temperature and dose is achieved deactivate the multizone ultrasonic catheter.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inserting a transvaginal imaging probe. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising deploying a thermal sensor in the tissue for temperature measurement in a treatment zone;