Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-15
2001-10-23
Casler, Brian L. (Department: 1911)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306090
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ultrasonic medical system. More particularly, this invention relates to a medical system which determines three-dimensional shapes of internal organs by using ultrasonic pressure waves. This invention also relates to a method useful in medical operations.
In recent years, the escalation of medical costs has captured substantial media and regulatory attention. One reason for the escalating costs is the ever increasing use of expensive machines and testing techniques. Computed assisted tomography (CAT scanning), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and some radiological techniques have been in the forefront of contributing to mounting medical costs. In addition to being expensive, these devices are heavy and bulky, making them ill suited to transport.
In this age of rapidly escalating medical costs, minimally invasive operations have become the method of choice for diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, endoscopic, laparoscopic and radiographic techniques have superseded older diagnostic and therapeutic surgical techniques.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to conventional medical imaging systems.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging system which exhibits reduced costs over conventional imaging systems such as CAT scanners and MRI machines.
A particular object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging system which can be used during the performance of so-called minimally invasive medical operations.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a medical imaging system which is portable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical operating method which provides real time imaging in a cost effective manner.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A medical system in accordance with the present invention comprises a carrier disposable in pressure-wave transmitting contact with a portion of a patient's body surface, at least one electroacoustic transducer attached to the carrier, and a first connector operatively for operatively connecting the electroacoustic transducer to an a-c current generator, whereby the electroacoustic transducer may be energized with an electrical signal of a pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce a first pressure wave. The system further comprises at least one acoustoelectric transducer attached to the carrier and an electronic analyzer operatively connectable to the acoustoelectric transducer for determining three-dimensional shapes of internal tissues of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the acoustoelectric transducer in response to second pressure waves produced at internal tissues of the patient in response to the first pressure wave.
Preferably, mounted to the carrier are a plurality of electroacoustic transducers and/or a plurality of acoustoelectric transducers. The transducers are attached to the carrier in a predetermined array, while the system further comprises means for energizing the electroacoustic transducers with a plurality of different frequencies and/or means for receiving signals of a plurality of different frequencies from the acoustoelectric transducers.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the carrier is provided with a plurality of apertures each enabling traversal of the carrier by a medical instrument.
Where the carrier is provided with at least one chamber for holding a fluid, the electroacoustic transducer(s) and the acoustoelectric transducer(s) are in pressure-wave communication with the chamber, thereby facilitating pressure wave transmission from the electroacoustic transducer to the patient and from the patient to the acoustoelectric transducer.
A medical system in accordance with another feature of the present invention comprises a carrier disposable in pressure-wave transmitting contact with a portion of a patient's body surface, and at least one electroacoustic transducer attached to the carrier and operatively connectable to an a-c current generator, whereby the electroacoustic transducer may be energized with an electrical signal of a pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce a first pressure wave. This embodiment of a medical system further comprises at least one acoustoelectric transducer attached to the carrier, an electronic ultrasonic signal analyzer operatively connectable to the acoustoelectric transducer, and a diagnostic unit operatively connectable to the acoustoelectric transducer via the signal analyzer, for automatically performing a diagnostic evaluation of tissue structures internal to the patient in response to second pressure waves produced at internal tissues of the patient in response to the first pressure wave.
The diagnostic unit may include means for computing specific values for a multiplicity of predetermined parameters in response to image data from the analyzer and means for comparing the specific values of the predetermined parameters with previously determined parameter ranges.
A video monitor may be linked to the analyzer for displaying an image of the internal structures.
A medical method in accordance with the present invention comprises disposing a carrier in pressure-wave transmitting contact with a portion of a patient's body surface, generating a first pressure wave in the patient, sensing second pressure waves produced at internal tissues of the patient in response to the first pressure wave, automatically analyzing the second pressure waves to determine three-dimensional internal tissue structures of the patient, and automatically deriving a diagnosis of a condition of the patient from the determined three-dimensional tissue structures.
The first pressure wave and the second pressure waves are preferably of ultrasonic frequencies. A carrier in pressure-wave-transmitting is placed in contact with the patient's body surface, while an electroacoustic transducer attached to the carrier is operated to generate the first pressure wave.
The carrier may take the form of a web or sheet covering a patient. Where the medical system is to be used in performing surgical operations under real-time visual feedback provided via ultrasonic wave generation, detection and analysis componentry, the web or cover sheet is preferably provided with a plurality of apertures enabling traversal of the web or sheet by elongate medical instruments, such as biopsy instruments or elongate instruments traditionally used in laparoscopic surgery.
As discussed above, a video monitor may be provided for enabling a viewing of an image of tissue and organ structures internal to a patient. Although stereoscopic (3-D) medical viewing systems have been introduced, it is contemplated that the image will generally be a two-dimensional image. Accordingly, the system preferentially includes a view selector operatively connected to the analyzing component and the video monitor for selecting the image from among a multiplicity of possible images of the internal organs. In addition, a filter stage may be operatively connected to the analyzing component and the video monitor for eliminating a selected organ from the image. In one example of the use of the filter, blood moving through a vessel of the vascular system is deleted to enable viewing of the blood vessel walls on the monitor.
A method for performing a medical operation, in accordance with the present invention, utilizes a medical instrument and container assembly which defines a fluid-filled chamber having a flexible wall which is conformable to a patient. The container assembly is provided with at least one electroacoustic transducer and at least one acoustoelectric transducer which are in operative contact with the fluid-filled chamber so as to respectively generate and detect ultrasonic waves in the fluid. The flexible wall of the fluid-filled chamber is disposed adjacent to a skin surface of the patient so t
Casler Brian L.
Coleman Henry D.
Sapone William J.
Sudol R. Neil
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