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 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.
150 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the flow is detected using an ultrasound device.
151 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the flow is detected using a MRI device.
152 . The method of claim 149 , further comprising detecting a fiducial.
153 . The method of claim 152 , wherein the fiducial comprises a catheter.
154 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the transducer is controlled to create a heat zone having an annular configuration.
155 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the transducer is controlled to create a heat zone having a spiral configuration.
156 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the tissue is at least ten millimeters away from the blood vessel.
157 . The method of claim 149 , wherein the tissue comprises an adventitia surrounding the blood vessel.
158 . The method of claim 149 , 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.
159 . The method of claim 149 , further comprising detecting temperature of the nerve region during the heating of the tissue.
160 . A treatment method, comprising:
obtaining a signal associated with a position of a blood vessel; and
controlling a transducer, based at least in part on the signal, to aim a focal point of ultrasonic energy from the transducer at a first location that is offset from the position of the blood vessel to at least partially inhibit a nerve function of a first nerve next to a lumen of the blood vessel;
wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered along a delivery path from a position outside the patient to the first location; and
wherein the act of controlling the transducer comprises using an ultrasound absorption model that considers energy absorption associated with the delivery path, and heat transfer due to blood flow.
161 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the signal is transmitted from a fiducial located inside the blood vessel.
162 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the transducer is controlled to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at the first nerve.
163 . The method of claim 162 , further comprising controlling the transducer to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at a second nerve next to the lumen of the blood vessel.
164 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the transducer is controlled to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at a second location that is offset from the position of the blood vessel.
165 . The method of claim 164 , wherein the first location and the second location are at a periphery of the blood vessel.
166 . The method of claim 165 , wherein the first location and the second location at least partially define an annular configuration that at least partially surrounds a lumen of the blood vessel.
167 . The method of claim 160 , wherein the signal comprises an image signal.
168 . A treatment method, comprising:
obtaining a signal transmitted from within a lumen of a blood vessel; and
controlling the transducer, based at least in part on the signal, to aim a focal point of ultrasonic energy from the transducer at a first location that is offset from the lumen of the blood vessel to interrupt a nerve function of a first nerve that is offset from the lumen of the blood vessel.
169 . The method of claim 168 , wherein the signal is transmitted from a fiducial located inside the blood vessel.
170 . The method of claim 168 , wherein the transducer is controlled to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at the first nerve.
171 . The method of claim 170 , further comprising controlling the transducer to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at a second nerve that is offset from the lumen of the blood vessel.
172 . The method of claim 168 , wherein the transducer is controlled to aim the focal point of the ultrasonic energy at a second location that is offset from the lumen of the blood vessel.
173 . The method of claim 172 , wherein the first location and the second location are at a periphery of the blood vessel.
174 . The method of claim 173 , wherein the first location and the second location at least partially define an annular configuration that at least partially surrounds the lumen of the blood vessel.