Medical system having multiple ultrasound transducers or an ultrasound transducer and an RF electrode

[0001] The present invention relates generally to ultrasound, and more particularly to an ultrasound medical system having a transducer assembly including multiple ultrasound transducers or an ultrasound transducer and an RF (radio-frequency) electrode.

[0002] Known ultrasound medical systems include medical systems which use ultrasound imaging of patients to identify patient tissue for medical treatment and which use ultrasound to ablate identified patient tissue (i.e., medically destroy patient tissue by heating the tissue to form a lesion). In one known design, an ultrasound-medical-imaging-only ultrasound transducer is attached on one side of a rotatable shaft and an ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducer is attached on the opposite side of the shaft. In another known design, the ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducer wherein medical imaging is done at a lower power and medical treatment is done at a higher power.

[0003] In one known example, a transducer assembly includes a single ultrasound transducer having a single transducer element, or an array of transducer elements acting together, to ultrasonically image the patient and/or to ultrasonically ablate identified patient tissue. A known transducer element includes a transducer element having a concave shape to focus ultrasound energy. A known array of transducer elements includes a planar, concave, or convex array of transducer elements. A known array of transducer elements includes an array whose transducer elements are electronically or mechanically controlled together to steer and focus the ultrasound emitted by the array to a focal zone (which may be large or which may be as small as, for example, a grain of rice) to provide three-dimensional medical ultrasound treatment of patient tissue.

[0004] Known ultrasound medical systems include medical systems which: deploy an end effector having an ultrasound transducer outside the body to break up kidney stones inside the body; endoscopically insert an end effector having an ultrasound transducer in the rectum to medically destroy prostate cancer; laparoscopically insert an end effector having an ultrasound transducer in the abdominal cavity to medically destroy a cancerous liver tumor; intravenously insert a catheter end effector having an ultrasound transducer into a vein in the arm and moves the catheter to the heart to medically destroy diseased heart tissue; and interstitially insert a needle end effector having an ultrasound transducer needle into the tongue to medically destroy tissue to reduce tongue volume to reduce snoring.

[0005] Still, scientists and engineers continue to seek improved ultrasound medical systems.

[0006] A first embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly which has a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers. The first ultrasound transducer is located proximate the distal end and has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis. The second ultrasound transducer has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis. The third ultrasound transducer is positioned longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers and has an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion.

[0007] A broadened expression of the first embodiment is for an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis, having a distal end, and having two ultrasound transducers. One of the ultrasound transducers has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis. An other of the ultrasound transducers is positioned longitudinally proximal or distal to the one ultrasound transducer and has an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion.

[0008] A second embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers each having an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducer positioned longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers.

[0009] A third embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers each having an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-imaging-only ultrasound transducer positioned longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers.

[0010] A fourth embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers each having an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers are ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducer positioned longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers.

[0011] A broadened expression of the second through fourth embodiments is for an ultrasound medical system including an ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis, and having two ultrasound transducers each having an ultrasound-emitting surface which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. One of the ultrasound transducers is positioned longitudinally proximal or distal to an other of the ultrasound transducers. The one and the other ultrasound transducers are different types of medical-treatment-only type, medical-treatment-and-imaging type, and medical-imaging-only type transducers.

[0012] A fifth embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system including a transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis, having a distal end, having a first RF (radio-frequency) medical-treatment electrode, and having an ultrasound medical transducer positioned longitudinally proximal or distal to the first RF medical-treatment electrode.

[0013] Several benefits and advantages are obtained from one or more of the embodiments of the ultrasound medical system of the invention. In one example of the first embodiment, the first and second ultrasound transducers are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers and the third ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and imaging ultrasound transducer which provides 360-degree treatment of patient tissue from the first and second transducers while also providing imaging (and treatment) from the third transducer. The second, third and fourth embodiments provide, in one example, treatment (from treat-only or treat-and-image first and second transducers) at the longitudinal ends of the transducer assembly which enhances the axial (longitudinal) ablation dimension while also providing imaging (from an image-only or a treat-and image third transducer or from treat-and-image first and second transducers). In one example of the fifth embodiment, the first RF medical-treatment electrode is less expensive, and easier to taper to a tissue-penetrating edge, than using an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer in its place.

[0014] The present invention has, without limitation, application in conventional endoscopic, laparoscopic, and open surgical instrumentation as well as application in robotic-assisted surgery.

[0020] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it should be noted that the invention is not limited in its application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative embodiments of the invention may be implemented or incorporated in other embodiments, variations and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the illustrative embodiments of the present invention for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limiting the invention. It is understood that the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 can include one or more additional ultrasound transducers than those shown, and that the embodiment of FIG. 10 can include one or more additional ultrasound transducers and/or one or more additional RF electrodes than those shown.

[0021] It is understood that any one or more of the following-described embodiments, examples, etc. can be combined with any one or more of the other following-described embodiments, examples, etc.

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention which is an ultrasound medical system 110 including an ultrasound transducer assembly 112. The ultrasound transducer assembly 112 has a longitudinal axis 114 and a distal end 116. The ultrasound transducer assembly 112 includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers 118, 120 and 122. It is noted that the phrase “ultrasound transducer” means ultrasound medical transducer. The first ultrasound transducer 118 is disposed proximate the distal end 116 and has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface 124 which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis 114. The second ultrasound transducer 120 has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface 126 which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis 114. The third ultrasound transducer 122 is disposed longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers 118 and 120 and has an ultrasound-emitting surface 128 which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion.

[0023] In one arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the first ultrasound transducer 118 is disposed at the distal end 116, and the third ultrasound transducer 122 is disposed proximate the first and second ultrasound transducers 118 and 120. In one variation, the third ultrasound transducer 122 abuts the first and second ultrasound transducers 118 and 120.

[0024] In one example of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the ultrasound-emitting surface 128 of the third ultrasound transducer 122 is substantially-entirely planar. In an alternate embodiment of the ultrasound transducer assembly 212, shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasound-emitting surface 228 of the third ultrasound transducer 222 includes at least a concave surface portion. In one variation, the ultrasound-emitting surface of the third ultrasound transducer in its entirety has a substantially-cylindrically-focused shape (e.g., the ultrasound is focused substantially along a focal line, having a line thickness, such as a focal line which is parallel to, or perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the ultrasound transducer assembly). In another variation, the ultrasound-emitting surface of the third ultrasound transducer in its entirety has a substantially-spherically-focused shape (e.g., the ultrasound is focused substantially at a focal zone such as a dot having a dot size).

[0025] In one enablement of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, and/or the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, the first and second ultrasound transducers 118 and 120 & 218 and 220 are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers. In the same or a different enablement, the third ultrasound transducer 122 and 222 is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducer. In one implementation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, and/or the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 118-122 & 218-222 has a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 130 & 230. In one variation, the transducer elements of an array of a plurality of transducer elements of an ultrasound transducer are electronically controlled together to steer and focus the ultrasound emitted by the array. It is noted that planar ultrasound transducer elements, when tilted inward, can be arranged to form an ultrasound transducer whose ultrasound-emitting surface has at least a concave portion. Similarly, planar ultrasound transducer elements, when not tilted, can be arranged to form an ultrasound transducer whose ultrasound-emitting surface is substantially-entirely planar. Likewise, planar ultrasound transducer elements, when tilted outward, can be arranged to form an ultrasound transducer having a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface. In a different implementation, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers has only one ultrasound transducer element.

[0026] In one construction of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, a cable 132 operatively connects a controller 134 to the ultrasound transducer assembly 112. In one variation, the cable 132 connects the controller 134 to a handpiece 136 which is operatively connected to an end effector 138 which supports the ultrasound transducer assembly 112. In one modification, the end effector 138 is an articulated end effector 138, which is also rotatable about the longitudinal axis 114, allowing the user and/or the controller 134 to rotate and/or translate the ultrasound transducer assembly 112 as desired. In one procedure, the first and second ultrasound transducers 118 and 120 are used to ablate (which is one form of ultrasound medical treatment) patient tissue in contact with the end effector 138, along the end effector insertion track, which sterilizes such patient tissue and is useful, for example, when the end effector 138 passes through cancerous tissue which is to be medically treated with ultrasound from the ultrasound transducer assembly 112.

[0027] A broadened expression of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 is for an ultrasound medical system 110 comprising an ultrasound transducer assembly 112 and 212 having a longitudinal axis 114, having a distal end 116, and having two ultrasound transducers (122/222 and either 118/218 or 120/220). One of the ultrasound transducers (either 118/218 or 120/220) has a substantially-fully-cylindrical ultrasound-emitting surface (124 or 126) which is substantially coaxially aligned with, and outwardly-facing from, the longitudinal axis 114. An other of the ultrasound transducers 122/222 is disposed longitudinally proximal or distal to the one ultrasound transducer (either 118/218 or 120/220) and has an ultrasound-emitting surface 128 which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion.

[0028] In one example of the broadened expression of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the one ultrasound transducer 118/218 is disposed proximate the distal end 116, and the other ultrasound transducer 122/222 is disposed proximate, and proximal to, the one ultrasound transducer 118/218.

[0029] Another embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system 310 (only an ultrasound-transducer-assembly portion of which is shown in FIG. 4). The ultrasound medical system 310 includes an ultrasound transducer assembly 312 having a longitudinal axis 314. The ultrasound transducer assembly 312 includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers 318, 320 and 322 each having an ultrasound-emitting surface 324, 326 and 328 which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers 318 and 320 are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer 322 is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducer disposed longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers 318 and 320.

[0030] In one arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 4, the ultrasound transducer assembly 312 has a distal end 316. The first ultrasound transducer 318 is disposed proximate the distal end 316, and the third ultrasound transducer 322 is disposed proximate the first and second ultrasound transducers 318 and 320. In one variation, not shown, the third ultrasound transducer 322 abuts the first and second ultrasound transducers 318 and 320.

[0031] In one example of the embodiment of FIG. 4, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 324, 326 and 328 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 318, 320 and 322 together are substantially-entirely planar. In an alternate embodiment of the ultrasound transducer assembly 412, shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 424, 426 and 428 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 418, 420 and 422 includes at least a concave surface portion. In one variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-cylindrically-focused shape. In a different variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-spherically-focused shape.

[0032] In one implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 4, and/or the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 318-322 & 418-422 has a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 330 & 430. In a different implementation, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers has only one ultrasound transducer element.

[0033] An additional embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system 510 (only an ultrasound-transducer-assembly portion of which is shown in FIG. 6). The ultrasound medical system 510 includes an ultrasound transducer assembly 512 having a longitudinal axis 514. The ultrasound transducer assembly 512 includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers 518, 520 and 522 each having an ultrasound-emitting surface 524, 526 and 528 which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers 518 and 520 are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer 522 is an ultrasound-medical-imaging-only ultrasound transducer disposed longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers 518 and 520.

[0034] In one arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the ultrasound transducer assembly 512 has a distal end 516. The first ultrasound transducer 518 is disposed proximate the distal end 516, and the third ultrasound transducer 522 is disposed proximate the first and second ultrasound transducers 518 and 520. In one variation, not shown, the third ultrasound transducer 522 abuts the first and second ultrasound transducers 518 and 520.

[0035] In one example of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 524, 526 and 528 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 518, 520 and 522 together are substantially-entirely planar. In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, at least one of the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 624, 626 and 628 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 618, 620 and 622 includes at least a concave surface portion. In one variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-cylindrically-focused shape. In a different variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-spherically-focused shape.

[0036] In one implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 6, and/or the alternate embodiment of FIG. 7, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 518-522 & 618-622 has a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 530 & 630. In a different implementation, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers has only one ultrasound transducer element.

[0037] A further embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system 710 (only an ultrasound-transducer-assembly portion of which is shown in FIG. 8). The ultrasound medical system 710 includes an ultrasound transducer assembly 712 having a longitudinal axis 714. The ultrasound transducer assembly 712 includes first, second and third ultrasound transducers 718, 720 and 722 each having an ultrasound-emitting surface 724, 726 and 728 which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. The first and second ultrasound transducers 718 and 720 are ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducers. The third ultrasound transducer 722 is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducer disposed longitudinally between the first and second ultrasound transducers 718 and 720.

[0038] In one arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the ultrasound transducer assembly 712 has a distal end 716. The first ultrasound transducer 718 is proximate the distal end 716, and the third ultrasound transducer 722 is disposed proximate the first and second ultrasound transducers 718 and 720. In one variation, not shown, the third ultrasound transducer 722 abuts the first and second ultrasound transducers 718 and 720.

[0039] In one example of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 724, 726 and 728 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 718, 720 and 722 together are substantially-entirely planar. In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, at least one of the ultrasound-emitting surfaces 824, 826 and 828 of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 818, 820 and 822 includes at least a concave surface portion. In one variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-cylindrically-focused shape. In a different variation, the ultrasound-emitting surfaces of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers together in their entirety have a substantially-spherically-focused shape.

[0040] In one implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 8, and/or the alternate embodiment of FIG. 9, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers 718-722 & 818-822 has a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 730 & 830. In a different implementation, at least one (and in one variation all) of the first, second and third ultrasound transducers has only one ultrasound transducer element.

[0041] A broadened expression of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-9 (with only part numbers from FIG. 4 being hereinafter listed for clarity) is for an ultrasound medical system 310 comprising an ultrasound transducer assembly 312 having a longitudinal axis 314, and having two ultrasound transducers (322 and either 318 or 320) each having an ultrasound-emitting surface (328 and either 324 or 326) which is substantially-entirely planar or includes at least a concave surface portion. One of the ultrasound transducers is disposed longitudinally proximal or distal to an other of the ultrasound transducers. The one and the other ultrasound transducers are different types of medical-treatment-only type, medical-treatment-and-imaging type, and medical-imaging-only type transducers. In one example, the one ultrasound transducer is a medical-treatment-only type ultrasound transducer and the other ultrasound transducer is a medical-treatment-and-imaging type ultrasound transducer. Other examples are left to the artisan. In one extension, the system 310 includes additional ultrasound transducers.

[0042] Yet another embodiment of the invention is an ultrasound medical system 910 (only a transducer-assembly portion of which is shown in FIG. 10). The ultrasound medical system 910 includes a transducer assembly 912 having a longitudinal axis 914, having a distal end 916, having a first RF (radio-frequency) medical-treatment electrode 918, and having an ultrasound medical transducer 922 disposed longitudinally proximal or distal to the first RF medical-treatment electrode 918.

[0043] In one example of the embodiment of FIG. 10, the first RF medical-treatment electrode 918 is disposed proximate the distal end 916, and the ultrasound medical transducer 922 is disposed proximate, and longitudinally proximal to, the first RF medical-treatment electrode 918. In the same or a different example, the ultrasound medical system 910 also includes a second RF (radio-frequency) medical-treatment electrode 920, wherein the ultrasound medical transducer 922 is disposed longitudinally between the first and second RF medical-treatment electrodes 918 and 920. In the same or a different example, the first RF medical-treatment electrode 918 is disposed at the distal end 916 and tapers to a tissue-penetrating edge.

[0044] In one enablement of the embodiment of FIG. 10, the first and second RF medical-treatment electrodes 918 and 920 are bipoles of an RF system. In another enablement, the first and, when present, the second RF medical-treatment electrodes are monopoles of an RF system which also includes a dispersive electrode, not shown, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one variation, the RF system is phased between monopolar and bipolar. In one construction, the first and, when present, the second RF electrodes each are metallic rings (such as stainless steel or a copper alloy with gold plating), or are gold-plated plastic parts or gold-plated ceramic parts, or employ gold-plated flex circuit technology.

[0045] In one implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 10, the ultrasound medical transducer 922 is an ultrasound-medical-imaging-only ultrasound transducer. In a different implementation, the ultrasound medical transducer 922 is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and-imaging ultrasound transducer. In another implementation, the ultrasound medical transducer 922 is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducer.

[0046] Several benefits and advantages are obtained from one or more of the embodiments of the ultrasound medical system of the invention. In one example of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the first and second ultrasound transducers are ultrasound-medical-treatment-only ultrasound transducers and the third ultrasound transducer is an ultrasound-medical-treatment-and imaging ultrasound transducer which provides 360-degree treatment of patient tissue from the first and second transducers while also providing imaging (and treatment) from the third transducer. The embodiments of FIGS. 4-9) provide, in one example, treatment (from treat-only or treat-and-image first and second transducers) at the longitudinal ends of the transducer assembly which enhances the axial (longitudinal) ablation dimension while also providing imaging (from an image-only or a treat-and image third transducer or from treat-and-image first and second transducers). In one example of the embodiment of FIG. 10, the first RF medical-treatment electrode is less expensive, and easier to taper to a tissue-penetrating edge, than using an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer in its place.

[0047] Also, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, examples of one or more of the embodiments of the ultrasound medical system of the invention provide: better end-effector performance by optimally dividing the drive power over, for example, transducer piezo-electric material; means to more effectively increase the length of the transducer face to achieve tissue effects under high power (e.g., 10-120 watts per square centimeter) source conditions; means to achieve an adequate amount of tissue effect (ablation) at the ends of the transducer assembly (where the power output characteristically tends to be lower); means to achieve circumferential tissue ablation at the ends of the equatorial line of the created lesion (to minimize bleeding due to intervention, etc.); means to provide better mechanical strength to the end effector design (such as larger element size at the ends of the transducer assembly, cylindrical transducer end caps, etc.); and means to provide simpler device designs (such as a smaller number of elements, simpler packaging issues, fewer connecting cables, lower cost, etc.), yet maintain the treatment and imaging capability of the end effector.

[0048] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of several embodiments, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or limit the spirit and scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous other variations, changes, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the ultrasound medical system of the invention has application in robotic assisted surgery taking into account the obvious modifications of such systems and components to be compatible with such a robotic system. It will be understood that the foregoing description is provided by way of example, and that other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.