SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT USING ULTRASONIC ENERGY
In some examples, nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some examples, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some examples, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents or the agents are enhanced by the energy sources.
1 - 148 . (canceled)
149 . A treatment system, comprising:
a therapeutic ultrasonic energy source comprising a transducer for placement on a patient's skin;
a diagnostic imaging device configured to detect flow in a blood vessel; and
a processor coupled to the transducer, wherein the processor is configured to control the transducer based on information from the diagnostic imaging device to deliver ultrasonic energy to a nerve region containing the blood vessel;
wherein the processor is configured to operate the transducer to heat tissue in the nerve region on at least two sides of the blood vessel by applying the ultrasonic energy through the blood vessel from the transducer.
150 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the diagnostic imaging device comprises an ultrasound device.
151 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the diagnostic imaging device comprises a MRI device.
152 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the diagnostic imaging device is configured to detect a fiducial inside a patient.
153 . The system of claim 152 , wherein the fiducial comprises a catheter.
154 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the processor is configured to operate the transducer to create a heat zone having an annular configuration.
155 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the processor is configured to operate the transducer to create a heat zone having a spiral configuration.
156 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the tissue is at least ten millimeters away from the blood vessel.
157 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the nerve region comprises an adventitia surrounding the blood vessel.
158 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the nerve region is an autonomic nerve region, and the blood vessel leads to a kidney; and
wherein the processor is configured to deliver the ultrasonic energy through a path from an external position posterior to a patient, the path intersecting the kidney while avoiding bone and bowel tissue.
159 . The system of claim 149 , further comprising a sensor for detecting temperature of the nerve region during the heating of the tissue.
160 . A treatment method, comprising:
placing a therapeutic ultrasonic energy source comprising a transducer external to a patient;
detecting flow in a blood vessel; and
controlling the transducer based on the detected flow to deliver ultrasonic energy through the blood vessel, thereby heating tissue on at least two sides of the blood vessel in a nerve region that contains the blood vessel.
161 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the flow is detected using an ultrasound device.
162 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the flow is detected using a MRI device.
163 . The method of claim 160 , further comprising detecting a fiducial.
164 . The method of claim 163 , wherein the fiducial comprises a catheter.
165 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the transducer is controlled to create a heat zone having an annular configuration.
166 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the transducer is controlled to create a heat zone having a spiral configuration.
167 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the tissue is at least ten millimeters away from the blood vessel.
168 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the tissue comprises an adventitia surrounding the blood vessel.
169 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the nerve region is an autonomic nerve region, and the blood vessel leads to a kidney; and
wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered through a path from an external position posterior to the patient, the path intersecting the kidney while avoiding bone and bowel tissue.
170 . The method of claim 160 , further comprising detecting temperature of the nerve region during the heating of the tissue.