Abstract: A high-power ultrasound heating applicator for minimally-invasive thermal treatment of uterine fibroids or myomas. High-Intensity interstitial ultrasound, applied with minimally-invasive laparoscopic or hysteroscopic procedures, is used to effectively treat fibroids within the myometrium in lieu of major surgery. The applicators are configured with high-power capabilities and thermal penetration to treat large volumes of fibroid tissue (>70 cm3) in short treatment times (3-20 minutes), while maintaining three-dimensional control of energy delivery to thermally destroy the target volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring a sterol, such as cholesterol, deposited in the skin. Light of two or more wavelengths is emitted toward or into a skin sample and the light is differentially absorbed by the sterol in the skin sample. The differentially absorbed light is detected and the amount of sterol in the skin sample is determined based on the differential absorption.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shielding non-target tissues and organs during thermotherapy, brachytherapy or other treatment of a diseased target tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter shaft having input and output lumens and at least one inflatable balloon. A plurality of input lumens within the catheter shaft allows the passage of liquid or gas through an input port and into the interior of the balloon thereby inflating the balloon. The gas or liquid can then be cycled through the inflated balloon through an output port and output lumen and out of the catheter shaft. Temperature sensors or other sensors may be attached to the balloon or catheter to monitor temperature or other conditions at the treatment site. The catheter is positioned between the target tissue or organ and sensitive non-target tissues in proximity to the target tissue and inflated causing a physical separation of tissues as well as a physical shield.

Abstract: An improved system and method for optimizing the planning, registration, targeting, and delivery of conformal, external beam radiation therapy of prostate cancer and other soft-tissue diseases. Real-time ultrasound imaging during planning and treatment is used forlocalization of soft tissue treatment targets and fused with radiographic or CT data for conformal treatment optimization. The fusion technique provides accurate localization of the prostate volume in real time. For treatment of prostate cancer, visualization of the prostate gland is achieved using transrectal ultrasonography and the fusion of that image in the precise location of the prostate within the pelvic region, accurately determining the location of the prostate target by transformation of the ultrasound image data on both the ultrasound and X-ray/CT images.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shielding non-target tissues and organs during thermotherapy, brachytherapy or other treatment of a diseased target tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter shaft having input and output lumens and at least one inflatable balloon. A plurality of input lumens within the catheter shaft allows the passage of liquid or gas through an input port and into the interior of the balloon thereby inflating the balloon. The gas or liquid can then be cycled through the inflated balloon through an output port and output lumen and out of the catheter shaft. Temperature sensors or other sensors may be attached to the balloon or catheter to monitor temperature or other conditions at the treatment site. The catheter is positioned between the target tissue or organ and sensitive non-target tissues in proximity to the target tissue and inflated causing a physical separation of tissues as well as a physical shield.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shielding non-target tissues and organs during thermotherapy, brachytherapy or other treatment of a diseased target tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter shaft having input and output lumens and at least one inflatable balloon. A plurality of input lumens within the catheter shaft allows the passage of liquid or gas through an input port and into the interior of the balloon thereby inflating the balloon. The gas or liquid can then be cycled through the inflated balloon through an output port and output lumen and out of the catheter shaft. Temperature sensors or other sensors may be attached to the balloon or catheter to monitor temperature or other conditions at the treatment site. The catheter is positioned between the target tissue or organ and sensitive non-target tissues in proximity to the target tissue and inflated causing a physical separation of tissues as well as a physical shield.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a biopsy needle within a target volume, said target volume being defined to be a space inside a patient, the method comprising: (1) generating a plurality of images of the target volume; (2) spatially registering the images; (3) generating a three-dimensional representation of the target volume from the spatially registered images; (4) determining the location of the biopsy needle in the three-dimensional target volume representation; and (5) correlating the determined biopsy needle location with the spatially registered images. Preferably, the present invention includes graphically displaying the target volume representation, the target volume representation including a graphical depiction of the determined biopsy needle location.

Abstract: A system and method for intravascular treatment planning and therapy on a patient. The system includes a structure for holding a treatment source, such as a radiation source, and also moving the treatment source through a patient's vascular system using a positioning device which includes a component to establish the location relative to a particular reference position. An imaging device is also disposed in association with a vascular treatment area and the treatment source to register the resulting image information, enabling formation of three dimensional image in real time for use by a clinician.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shielding non-target tissues and organs during thermotherapy, brachytherapy or other treatment of a diseased target tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter shaft having input and output lumens and at least one inflatable balloon. A plurality of input lumens within the catheter shaft allows the passage of liquid or gas through an input port and into the interior of the balloon thereby inflating the balloon. The gas or liquid can then be cycled through the inflated balloon through an output port and output lumen and out of the catheter shaft. Temperature sensors or other sensors may be attached to the balloon or catheter to monitor temperature or other conditions at the treatment site. The catheter is positioned between the target tissue or organ and sensitive non-target tissues in proximity to the target tissue and inflated causing a physical separation of tissues as well as a physical shield.

Abstract: An improved system and method for optimizing the planning, registration, targeting, and delivery of conformal, external beam radiation therapy of prostate cancer and other soft-tissue diseases. Real-time ultrasound imaging during planning and treatment is used for localization of soft tissue treatment targets and fused with radiographic or CT data for conformal treatment optimization. The fusion technique provides accurate localization of the prostate volume in real time. For treatment of prostate cancer, visualization of the prostate gland is achieved using transrectal ultrasonography and the fusion of that image in the precise location of the prostate within the pelvic region, accurately determining the location of the prostate target by transformation of the ultrasound image data on both the ultrasound and X-ray/CT images.

Abstract: An apparatus for the three-dimensional spatial registration of components of a surgical procedure. At least one radio tag is incorporated into a medical device. The at least one radio tag provides a radio signal source to a radio receiver for determining the position of the signal source. A central control unit includes software controls for providing information concerning the position of the signal source, and data is communicated between the central control unit and radio receiver. The central control unit includes a graphical interface for viewing the position of the radio signal sources.

Abstract: An electro-dynamic phased array acoustic lens having an array of cells, each of which may be separately controlled to alter characteristics of an incident acoustic wave. Because each cell of the acoustic lens controls the delay and amplitude of the acoustic wave passing through that cell, such an acoustic lens may be used in combination with a single-element transducer to control the characteristics of acoustic waves with a similar degree of control, or more, as that provided by a phased multi-element transducer array. The acoustic lens may also be used in combination with a multi-element transducer, such that all elements of the transducer may be fired at the same phase and amplitude. In other words, an ultrasonic wave that passes through a given cell of the acoustic lens is phase offset as determined by that cell. The acoustic lens may be used in an ultrasonic ablation system to control the ultrasonic waves used to ablate the tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound device and method for the treatment of intervertebral disc tissue for remediation of back pain. An applicator comprises a catheter and/or needle with a distal tip including one or more ultrasound transducer crystals. The crystals produce high-powered ultrasound energy that is transmitted and absorbed in the disc tissue. The resulting temperature elevation of the disc tissue shrinks the collagen fibers in the surrounding tissue, and/or destroying small nerves that may have invaded and innervated the surrounding degenerated tissue, and can provide increased structural integrity and disc support for the fragmented nucleus pulposus to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.