Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: A system and method for fluid control in a thermal therapy system is disclosed. A fluid circuit permits passage of a fluid through a fluid circuit, including into and out of a treatment zone so as to cool or heat or maintain a temperature in said treatment zone at or near a desired temperature. The temperature is sensed at a point in the circuit between a discharge of a fluid pump and the treatment zone. MRI based thermometry of tissue in the treatment zone is accomplished in some aspects. Furthermore, a desired temperature may be programmably set to a given value or within a band of values using a processor and a temperature controller. In some aspects, leakage of fluid from a patient or from the fluid control system is captured by a leak-proof member to protect imaging and treatment equipment from damage.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes, in preferred embodiments, a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: A system and method for fluid control in a thermal therapy system is disclosed. A fluid circuit permits passage of a fluid through a fluid circuit, including into and out of a treatment zone so as to cool or heat or maintain a temperature in said treatment zone at or near a desired temperature. The temperature is sensed at a point in the circuit between a discharge of a fluid pump and the treatment zone. MRI based thermometry of tissue in the treatment zone is accomplished in some aspects. Furthermore, a desired temperature may be programmably set to a given value or within a band of values using a processor and a temperature controller. In some aspects, leakage of fluid from a patient or from the fluid control system is captured by a leak-proof member to protect imaging and treatment equipment from damage.

Abstract: A system and method for fluid control in a thermal therapy system is disclosed. A fluid circuit permits passage of a fluid through a fluid circuit, including into and out of a treatment zone so as to cool or heat or maintain a temperature in said treatment zone at or near a desired temperature. The temperature is sensed at a point in the circuit between a discharge of a fluid pump and the treatment zone. MRI based thermometry of tissue in the treatment zone is accomplished in some aspects. Furthermore, a desired temperature may be programmably set to a given value or within a band of values using a processor and a temperature controller. In some aspects, leakage of fluid from a patient or from the fluid control system is captured by a leak-proof member to protect imaging and treatment equipment from damage.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes, in preferred embodiments, a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: A thermal therapy system is provided. The system includes an applicator and a device for supporting and moving the applicator within a patient's body during therapy. Some embodiments include an elongated ultrasound energy applicator that is positioned using a plurality of positioners along a corresponding plurality of axes. Also, a rotational driver or motor is provided to rotate the thermal therapy applicator in the patient's body during treatment. The apparatus is constructed of magnetically-compatible materials and has a design to avoid or minimize interference between the drive components of the apparatus and a MRI imaging system in use during the treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for fluid control in a thermal therapy system is disclosed. A fluid circuit permits passage of a fluid through a fluid circuit, including into and out of a treatment zone so as to cool or heat or maintain a temperature in said treatment zone at or near a desired temperature. The temperature is sensed at a point in the circuit between a discharge of a fluid pump and the treatment zone. MRI based thermometry of tissue in the treatment zone is accomplished in some aspects. Furthermore, a desired temperature may be programmably set to a given value or within a band of values using a processor and a temperature controller. In some aspects, leakage of fluid from a patient or from the fluid control system is captured by a leak-proof member to protect imaging and treatment equipment from damage.

Abstract: A liftgate platform assembly may include a roller assembly having a pair of roller cartridge assemblies that are attached within a channel on opposite sides of a rail member. One roller cartridge assembly may be considered a fixed roller assembly because it does not move relative to the rail member and the other may be considered an adjustable roller assembly because it can move relative to the rail member.