Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of treating a subject suffering from a nerve related disorder, the method comprising causing a damage region to one or both of a lumen wall or nearby surrounding tissues, the damage region encompassing a volume having dimensions of less than about 6.8 mm in a substantially radial direction, less than about 5.8 mm in a direction substantially tangential to the lumen, less than about 10 mm in a substantially axial direction, the damage region being located no closer than about 0.2 mm from an inner wall of the lumen, the damage region comprises of greater than about 60% of collagen denatured tissue.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a devices and methods for intravascular denervation and assessment thereof and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for renal denervation. Some embodiments of the invention relate to an intravascular catheter configured for ultrasonic ablation of the tissue, comprising a plurality of piezoelectric transceivers. In some embodiments, an intravascular distancing device is provided, the device adapted for obtaining at least a minimal distance between an ultrasound emitting element and a tissue, such as the blood vessel wall. Some embodiments of the invention relate to assessment of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) treatment effectiveness. Some embodiments of the invention relate to processing echo of signals, such as processing of signals to characterize physical and/or mechanical properties of the blood vessel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method and/or a device of treating tissue near a first lumen comprising inserting an energy emission element into a second lumen and delivering energy in an amount sufficient to cause one or more spaced apart areas of tissue damage at preselected locations in tissue near the first lumen. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a carotid artery wall, for example, to reduce signal conduction. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a lumen in a limb, for example, to increase blood flow. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a heart, for example, to stop abnormal signal propagation.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method and/or a device of treating tissue near a first lumen comprising inserting an energy emission element into a second lumen and delivering energy in an amount sufficient to cause one or more spaced apart areas of tissue damage at preselected locations in tissue near the first lumen. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a carotid artery wall, for example, to reduce signal conduction. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a lumen in a limb, for example, to increase blood flow. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a heart, for example, to stop abnormal signal propagation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transceiver device for producing ultrasonic beams comprises a body vibratable at ultrasonic frequencies and an extensive surface for beam emanation, the device configured to produce an unfocused, or alternatively a focused, power beam for thermal tissue damage, the power beam being produced by vibration over the body of the transceiver and emanating from the extent of the surface, whereby the extensive surface becomes subject to convective cooling when immersed in a fluid by a chimney effect set up by said unfocused beam.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound transducer for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to transmit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound catheter for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to emit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: A dual use ultrasonic transducer device for combined sensing and power transmission, comprises a first piezoelectric transducer sized for placement in a body lumen; a power unit enabling an ultrasonic power beam for tissue ablation in a tissue ablation region; and a sensing unit enabling an ultrasonic sensing beam for sensing at said tissue ablation region. In one example, a single piezoelectric surface is electrically connected to a mounting; and the mounting provides a first region of the piezoelectric surface with a first relatively high level of damping and a second region of said piezoelectric surface with a second relatively low level of damping, thereby to enable sensing from said first region and power transmission from said second region. Changes in efficiency of the transducer or the treatment during use may be inferred from changes in the impulse response or impedance or changes in the temperature of liquids that have flowed past the transducer.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound transducer for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to transmit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound transducer for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to transmit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method and for keeping an ultrasound emission element away from a wall of a blood vessel or cavity comprising: inserting a catheter comprising the ultrasound emission element into a blood vessel or body cavity such that the ultrasound emission element is prevented from contacting a wall of the blood vessel or the cavity. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a device for keeping an ultrasound emission element away from a wall of a blood vessel or lumen.

Abstract: A method and system of forming at least one therapeutic reservoir in a target tissue by trapping therapeutics in at least a portion of said target tissue by selectively applying energy to said target tissue. Optionally, trapping comprises preventing said therapeutics in said target tissue from being carried away by a circulation. The system can include a catheter with both an ultrasonic element and a drug delivery port, optionally connected to control circuitry.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound catheter for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to emit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the a method of selectively treating tissue using non-focused ultrasound energy delivered intrabody comprising: selectively determining a target tissue in a wall of a lumen or cavity; selecting parameters sufficient to provide a desired effect in the target tissue; and applying the parameters to treat the target tissue using non-focused ultrasound to achieve the desired effect.

Abstract: A dual use ultrasonic transceiver device for thermal tissue damage, comprising: a first piezoelectric transceiver sized for placement in a body lumen; a power unit which provides power to said transducer suitable for generating an ultrasonic power beam for thermal tissue damage in a tissue damage region; and a sensing unit which receives ultrasonic signals for sensing at said tissue damage region wherein said first piezoelectric transceiver is mounted on a mounting and wherein said mounting comprising mechanical damping for said piezoelectric surface, the mounting being configured such as to provide a first region of said piezoelectric surface with a first relatively high level of mechanical damping and a second region of said piezoelectric surface with a second relatively low level of mechanical damping, said damping levels being selected to enable said ultrasonic sensing from said first region and said power transmission from said second region.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transceiver apparatus for intracorporeal use, comprises an undamped ultrasonic transceiver for placing in a confined intracorporeal space, the transceiver vibrating at an instantaneous frequency and being excited to cause vibration at said instantaneous frequency to produce an ultrasonic ablation beam for ablating surrounding tissues and being further excited to cause vibration by primary echo signals returning from surrounding tissues—from separate excitations during quiet periods between the ablation—to monitor ablation progress. A signal processor isolates the primary echo signals from ringing, secondary echoes and extraneous noise also received from the transceiver and uses presence or absence of the characteristic frequency, or of a body characteristic frequency such as pulse or breathing, as an isolation criterion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transceiver device for producing ultrasonic beams comprises a body vibratable at ultrasonic frequencies and an extensive surface for beam emanation, the device configured to produce an unfocused, or alternatively a focused, power beam for thermal tissue damage, the power beam being produced by vibration over the body of the transceiver and emanating from the extent of the surface, whereby the extensive surface becomes subject to convective cooling when immersed in a fluid by a chimney effect set up by said unfocused beam.