Patent Application
20080033287
These and further objects of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention reference to the illustrations appended hereto:
With reference to
As shown the image device 10 which is a component of a location finding imaging system 8 can be an ultrasound device, an x-ray head or a radio image or scanning device or any other apparatus capable of projecting the treatment volume 100 onto the image display monitor 12. The image signal as generated is converted to an electronic data stream or electronic signal that is preferably fed into a control unit 30 such as a computer processor 30 that relays the signal to an image display monitor 12. Preferably the monitor 12 shows the treatment volume 100 in real time or a reasonably close approximation thereto. In this way the clinician can visually see the treatment volume 100 and can precisely observe the desired location to be treated. In the example the kidney 100 having a kidney stone 102 can be visually observed.
Once the image is set by the clinician, he or she can direct the treatment instrument 20 by importing the x, y, z coordinates of location 102 of the desired treatment volume 100 into the computer 30. This can be accomplished by simply moving a cursor shown on the monitor 12 onto the displayed area of interest and clicking the mouse 32 or entering the coordinates using the keyboard 31 so the position coordinates can be inputted back to the computer 30. The computer 30 can then direct the orientation of the treatment instrument 20 to orient the treatment head to point the treatment path 25 to the selected coordinates using the automated orienting positioning system 18. Since the treatment path 25 is a graphical representation of the shock wave transmission at a minimum energy level Pe that is of a three dimensional shape the axis At is centrally located within this volume of energy originating from the shock wave head 22 or lens 24 and extending outwardly. The axis At therefore passes through the centroid C of the volume of projected energy. Accordingly the software can align the axis At to intersect the selected coordinates desired location or more preferably will move the treatment path 25 such that the centroid C of the energy profile is moved directly onto the selected coordinates or desired location. Alternatively the clinician can manually orient the treatment instrument 20 and the instrument will send a location or orientation signal through the computer processor 30 back to the image display monitor 12 and a picture of the projected treatment path 25 which as shown in
The treatment instrument 20 is an acoustic shock wave device 20. The device as shown has a shock wave head 22 positioned against the patient's body 1 and preferably coupled acoustically by using a gel 29 between the patient's skin and the lens 24 of the shock wave head 22 to improve the transmission efficiency as is known in the art.
The shock wave head 22 is mounted on the portable stand 14 and is movable about the x, y, z coordinates manually or by one or more servomotors 21 of the orienting/positioning system 18 that are preferably controlled by the computer 30. As previously mentioned positioning of the projected treatment path 25 can be done manually as the clinician observes the monitor 12 or automatically by moving a cursor shown on the monitor 12 using the mouse 32 or keyboard 31 and clicking on a location wherein the clinician desires the treatment path 25 to be directed wherein the computer will direct the servomotors 21 to orient the shock wave head 22 so the path 25 has its centerline axis At intersect the desired volume at the selected location, preferably by having the centroid C of the projected energy profile moved to the selected coordinates.
Once the images of the treatment path 25 and the treatment volume 100 are superimposed and visually displayed on the monitor, the clinician may desire to adjust the size of the treatment path 25.
As used herein and shown as one exemplary treatment path 25 in
Once a treatment dosage is selected it is possible to create a simulated treatment prior to actually treating. The simulated treatment allows the clinician to visually observe the treatment volume 100 and a pulsating superimposed treatment path 25 on the monitor 12 over the duration of the simulation.
Alternatively the clinician can initiate the selected treatment activating the shock wave transmission while observing the image of the treatment volume 100 displayed on the monitor 12 and in so doing can observe in real time or within fractions of seconds of real time observe the treatment and the reaction of the kidney stone 102 being treated. Accordingly the treatment can be stopped immediately upon pulverizing the stone 102 or can be interrupted if the treatment is not achieving a desired result. In the latter case the clinician can make orientation or power adjustments to the treatment instrument and then continue the process.
This combination of imaging a treatment volume and positioning the treatment instrument using a superimposed display of the treatment path and the treatment volume is a revolutionary concept that provides the potential to a high medical certainty that the observed treatment results are achieved in a most efficient manner.
Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
