Neuromodulation energy application techniques
Provided herein are techniques directed to accurate positioning of an energy application device for neuromodulation treatment protocols. In one embodiment, a neuromodulation positioning patch is applied to a patient's skin. The energy application device is coupled to a frame of the neuromodulation positioning patch to position a transducer of the energy application device within an opening at a treatment position within the opening. In one embodiment, the frame is also coupled to a removable dock for an imaging probe that, when coupled to the removable dock and, in turn, the frame of the neuromodulation positioning patch, acquires image data through the opening to identify or verify a treatment position.
1 . A method comprising:
acquiring ultrasound image data of a subject using a first ultrasound probe coupled to a neuromodulation positioning patch, wherein the neuromodulation positioning patch is not adhered to the skin of the subject;
identifying or verifying a region of interest based on the acquired ultrasound image data;
determining a treatment position on the skin of the subject based on the region of interest;
adjusting a position of the neuromodulation positioning patch coupled to the first ultrasound probe based on the determined treatment position;
positioning the neuromodulation positioning patch on the skin of the subject such that an opening formed in the neuromodulation positioning patch is positioned on or over the treatment position;
adhering the neuromodulation positioning patch to the skin of the subject via an application layer of the neuromodulation positioning patch such that the neuromodulation positioning patch is secured to the skin of the subject for subsequent treatment sessions; and
applying neuromodulating ultrasound energy from the first ultrasound probe or a second ultrasound probe through the treatment position toward the region of interest based on a location of the adhered neuromodulation positioning patch, wherein the first ultrasound probe or the second ultrasound probe is positioned at the opening of the adhered neuromodulation positioning patch so as to apply the neuromodulating ultrasound energy toward the region of interest.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the neuromodulating ultrasound energy is applied using the second ultrasound probe.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first ultrasound probe is an ultrasound imaging probe and the second ultrasound probe is an ultrasound therapy probe.
4 . The method of claim 2 , comprising:
prior to applying the neuromodulating ultrasound energy, uncoupling the first ultrasound probe from the neuromodulation positioning patch; and
coupling the second ultrasound probe to the neuromodulation positioning patch to position the second ultrasound probe at the opening on or over the treatment position.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein coupling the second ultrasound probe to the neuromodulation positioning patch comprises coupling mating features of the second ultrasound probe to complementary mating features of a resilient frame of the neuromodulation positioning patch, wherein the resilient frame is positioned about a perimeter of the opening.
6 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:
uncoupling the first ultrasound probe or the second ultrasound probe from the adhered neuromodulation positioning patch; and
after an interval of time, recoupling the first ultrasound probe or the second ultrasound probe to the adhered neuromodulation positioning patch to apply additional neuromodulating ultrasound energy through the treatment position toward the region of interest for a next scheduled dose.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein acquiring the ultrasound image data of the subject comprises coupling the first ultrasound probe to a removable dock of the neuromodulation positioning patch to position an imaging transducer of the first ultrasound probe within both a dock opening and the opening of the neuromodulation positioning patch.
8 . The method of claim 7 , comprising uncoupling the removable dock from a frame of the neuromodulation positioning patch.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the frame or the removable dock comprises a mechanical lock that holds a transducer of the first ultrasound probe at a fixed contact pressure against the subject when the mechanical lock is activated.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the frame or the removable dock comprises a mechanical lock that holds the first ultrasound probe at a fixed orientation relative to the subject and/or relative to the neuromodulation positioning patch when the mechanical lock is activated.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the application layer comprises an ultrasound gel portion.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the application layer further comprises an adhesive portion that is configured to adhere the neuromodulation positioning patch to be secured to onto the skin of the subject.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein acquiring the ultrasound image data comprises acquiring a plurality of images, wherein the plurality of images comprises high resolution images, low resolution images, or a combination of both.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the treatment site comprises identifying internal tissues or organs that include peripheral nerve endings or peripheral axon terminals.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein adhering the neuromodulation positioning patch comprises removing release liners covering an adhesive portion of the application layer on the neuromodulation positioning patch, wherein the adhesive portion is configured to adhere the neuromodulation positioning patch to be secured onto the skin of the subject.