US5395299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves
Assignee: Siemens AG
•
Filing: 1994-02-04
•
Granted: 1995-03-07
•
Expires: 2014-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A therapy apparatus has a source of acoustic waves which generates acoustic waves focused onto a focus and which has an x-ray-transparent region, and the focus lying in an isocenter and an x-ray locating system whose central ray proceeds through the isocenter and is adjustable relative to the source in a locating sequence such that a subject to be treated is irradiated by locating radiation from different directions, with the central ray in one of the irradiation directions proceeding through the x-ray transparent region and the acoustic wave source is maintained stationary during the sequence. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Herrmann
- 👤 Guenther Krauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; A61B17/2255; A61B17/2256; A61B6/00; A61B6/12; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means, including a single x-ray source, for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in at least one of said irradiation directions while maintaining said source means stationary during said locating sequence.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means, including a single x-ray source, for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in at least one of said irradiation directions while maintaining said source means stationary during said locating sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for positioning said locating means for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass by said source means in at least one of said irradiation directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the position of said source means for moving said source means to a standby position, when said locating sequence is not being conducted, wherein said source means is disposed outside of said useful x-ray beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a support table for supporting said subject to be treated with acoustic waves, said support table having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, said C-arm having a center axis about which said C-arm is rotatable, said center axis coinciding with said axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising carrier means for supporting said source means, said carrier means being disposed outside of said useful x-ray beam of said x-ray locating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said apparatus has an isocenter, and wherein said carrier means comprises two arms respectively attached to said source means and disposed so that said useful x-ray beam proceeds between said two arms when said focus of said acoustic waves is located in said isocenter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, and wherein said C-arm extends between said two arms of said carrier means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a support table for supporting said subject to be treated with acoustic waves, said support table having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, said C-arm having a center axis about which said C-arm is rotatable, said center axis coinciding with said axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for adjusting the position of said locating means and the position of said source, and for adjusting the position of said subject, in a first direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a first of said irradiation directions and in a second direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a second of said irradiation directions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for moving said source means in a straight line between a standby position outside of said useful x-ray beam and a working position, during said locating sequence, wherein said source means is applied against said subject.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said source means has an acoustic axis and wherein said useful x-ray beam of said locating means has a central ray, and wherein said means for moving said source means between said standby position and said working position comprises means for moving said source means for displacing said acoustic axis in a plane containing said central ray.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus has an isocenter, wherein said useful x-ray beam of said locating means has a central ray, wherein said source means comprises means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus located at said isocenter, and wherein said locating means comprises means for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful ray beam with said central ray proceeding through said isocenter from a plurality of different directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a support table for supporting said subject to be treated with acoustic waves, said support table having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, said C-arm having a center axis about which said C-arm is rotatable, said center axis coinciding with said axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said source means further comprises coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means, including a single x-ray source, for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in only one of said irradiation directions while maintaining said source means stationary during said locating sequence.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means, including a single x-ray source, for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in only one of said irradiation directions while maintaining said source means stationary during said locating sequence.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for positioning said locating means for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass by said source means in at least one of said irradiation directions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising means for adjusting the position of said source means for moving said source means to a standby position, when said locating sequence is not being conducted, wherein said source means is disposed outside of said useful x-ray beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising carrier means for supporting said source means, said carrier means being disposed outside of said useful x-ray beam of said x-ray locating means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said apparatus has an isocenter, and wherein said carrier means comprises two arms respectively attached to said source means and disposed so that said useful x-ray beam proceeds between said two arms when said focus of said acoustic waves is located in said isocenter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, and wherein said C-arm extends between said two arms of said carrier means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 further comprising: a support table for supporting said subject to be treated with acoustic waves, said support table having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means includes a C-arm carrying said x-ray locating means, said C-arm having a center axis about which said C-arm is rotatable, said center axis coinciding with said axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray and wherein said means for adjusting the position of said locating means comprises means for adjusting the position of said locating means and the position of said source, and for adjusting the position of said subject, in a first direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a first of said irradiation directions and in a second direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a second of said irradiation directions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising means for moving said source means in a straight line between a standby position outside of said useful x-ray beam and a working position, during said locating sequence, wherein said source means is applied against said subject.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said source means has an acoustic axis and wherein said useful x-ray beam of said locating means has a central ray, and wherein said means for moving said source means between said standby position and said working position comprises means for moving said source means for displacing said acoustic axis in a plane containing said central ray.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising the additional step of: causing said useful x-ray beam of said locating means to pass by said acoustic wave source in one of said irradiation directions.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: generating acoustic waves, from an acoustic wave source having an x-ray transparent region, converging at a focus for treating a subject with said acoustic waves; locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves using an x-ray locating means by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a single x-ray source from a plurality of different directions; adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said acoustic wave source during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said acoustic wave source in at least one of said irradiation directions; and maintaining said acoustic wave source acoustically coupled to said subject via an x-ray transparent coupling means in direct contact with said subject at a stationary location during said locating sequence.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: generating acoustic waves, from an acoustic wave source having an x-ray transparent region, converging at a focus for treating a subject with said acoustic waves; locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves using an x-ray locating means by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a single x-ray source from a plurality of different directions; adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said acoustic wave source during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said acoustic wave source in at least one of said irradiation directions; and maintaining said acoustic wave source acoustically coupled to said subject via an x-ray transparent coupling means in direct contact with said subject at a stationary location during said locating sequence.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising the additional step of: moving said acoustic wave source to a standby position outside of said useful x-ray beam when said locating sequence is not being conducted.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising the additional steps of: supporting said subject on a support table having a longitudinal axis; and pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table for irradiating said subject from said different directions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray, and wherein the step of adjusting the position of said locating means is further defined by adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said subject in a first direction extending parallel to said direction of said central ray in a first of said irradiation directions and adjusting said locating means in a second direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a second of said irradiation directions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising the additional step of: moving said acoustic wave source along a straight line between a standby position, wherein said acoustic wave source is outside of said useful x-ray beam, to a working position, wherein said acoustic wave source is in direct contact with said subject.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said acoustic wave source has an acoustic axis and wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray, and wherein the step of moving said acoustic wave source between said standby position and said working position is further defined by moving said acoustic wave source for displacing said acoustic axis in a plane containing said central ray.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 comprising the additional step of: causing said useful x-ray beam of said locating means to pass by said acoustic wave source in one of said irradiation directions.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: generating acoustic waves, from an acoustic wave source having an x-ray transparent region, converging at a focus for treating a subject with said acoustic waves; locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves using an x-ray locating means by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a single x-ray source from a plurality of different directions; adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said acoustic wave source during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said acoustic wave source in only one of said irradiation directions; and maintaining said acoustic wave source acoustically coupled to said subject via an x-ray transparent coupling means in direct contact with said subject at a stationary location during said locating sequence.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: generating acoustic waves, from an acoustic wave source having an x-ray transparent region, converging at a focus for treating a subject with said acoustic waves; locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves using an x-ray locating means by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a single x-ray source from a plurality of different directions; adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said acoustic wave source during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said acoustic wave source in only one of said irradiation directions; and maintaining said acoustic wave source acoustically coupled to said subject via an x-ray transparent coupling means in direct contact with said subject at a stationary location during said locating sequence.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 comprising the additional step of: moving said acoustic wave source to a standby position outside of said useful x-ray beam when said locating sequence is not being conducted.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 comprising the additional steps of: supporting said subject on a support table having a longitudinal axis; and pivoting said x-ray locating means around an axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support table for irradiating said subject from said different directions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray, and wherein the step of adjusting the position of said locating means is further defined by adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said subject in a first direction extending parallel to said direction of said central ray in a first of said irradiation directions and adjusting said locating means in a second direction proceeding parallel to said central ray in a second of said irradiation directions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 comprising the additional step of: moving said acoustic wave source along a straight line between a standby position, wherein said acoustic wave source is outside of said useful x-ray beam, to a working position, wherein said acoustic wave source is in direct contact with said subject.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein said acoustic wave source has an acoustic axis and wherein said useful x-ray beam has a central ray, and wherein the step of moving said acoustic wave source between said standby position and said working position is further defined by moving said acoustic wave source for displacing said acoustic axis in a plane containing said central ray.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, said source means having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in a first one of said irradiating directions and to pass by, at least substantially, said source means in a second one of said irradiation positions.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves comprising: source means for generating acoustic waves converging at a focus, said source means having an x-ray transparent region; x-ray transparent coupling means, directly applicable to a subject to be treated with said acoustic waves, for coupling said acoustic waves into said subject; x-ray locating means for locating a region in said subject to be treated with said acoustic waves by, in a locating sequence, successively irradiating said subject with a useful x-ray beam from a plurality of different directions; and means for adjusting the position of said locating means relative to said source means during said locating sequence for causing said useful x-ray beam to pass through said x-ray transparent region of said source means in a first one of said irradiating directions and to pass by, at least substantially, said source means in a second one of said irradiation positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4674505A
Cited
EP0188750A1
Cited
DE8714707U1
Cited
US4984565A
Cited
US5060650A
Cited
US5070861A
Cited
US5044354A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-06 | 1998-09-05 | 1999-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-06 | 2002-09-05 | 2003-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-06 | 2006-09-05 | 2007-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |