Methods and Systems for Controlling Acoustic Energy Deposition Into A Medium

Abstract

A method and system for acoustic treatment of tissue are provided. Acoustic energy, including ultrasound, under proper functional control can penetrate deeply and be controlled precisely in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured for acoustic tissue treatment based on creating an energy distribution function in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured based on creating a temperature distribution function in tissue.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for providing acoustic treatment of soft tissue within a patient, said method comprising:
 a) localizing a region of interest in the soft tissue;   b) computing, without feedback from monitoring parameters, a spatio-temporal treatment function, e(x,y,z,t) that produces a desired temperature function T(x,y,z,t) in the region of interest, the spatio-temporal treatment function e(x,y,z,t) defining an ultrasound intensity at the time t at distinct locations x,y,z in the region of interest, the computing the spatio-temporal treatment function including one or more step functions, u(γ), to define boundaries of the region of interest, a time excitation function, a(t), and a three-dimensional spatial modulation function, g(x,y,z);   c) delivering acoustic energy from an energy source into the region of interest by controlling the energy source with spatial and temporal parameters derived from the spatio-temporal treatment function e(x,y,z,t),   thereby producing the desired temperature function T(x,y,z,t) in the region of interest, thereby triggering an effect in the region of interest.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising monitoring of results of the acoustic treatment during the delivery of acoustic energy. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising monitoring of results of the acoustic treatment after the delivery of acoustic energy. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the effect is coagulation of a portion of the tissue in the region of interest. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , step c) thereby initiating tissue necrosis in the region of interest. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the effect is creating a conformal region of elevated temperature in the region of interest. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the effect is lesion creation in the region of interest. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the effect is initiating at least one mechanical effect in the region of interest. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one mechanical effect is at least one of cavitation, resonance-induced streaming, vibroacoustic stimulation, a pressure gradient, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the spatio-temporal treatment function, e(x,y,z,t) is e=a(t) [u(x−x 1 )−u(x−x 2 )] [u(y−y 1 )−u(y−y 2 )] [u(z−z 1 )−u(z−z 2 )] g(x,y,z), where u(γ) is a step function, a(t) represents the time excitation, and g(x,y,z) represents the spatial modulation within the regions bound by [x 1 , x 2 ], [y 1 , y 2 ], and [z 1 , z 2 ]. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the spatio-temporal treatment function, e(x,y,z,t) is e=a(t) u(z−z 1 ) g(x,y,z), where u(γ) is a step function of energy is placed beginning at a depth z 1  in the treatment function region, g(x,y,z) represents the spatial modulation within the treatment function region, and a(t) represents the time excitation. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein delivering acoustic energy produces a step change in temperature at the depth z 1  in the region of interest. 
     
     
         37 . A method for providing acoustic treatment of soft tissue within a patient, said method comprising:
 a) identifying a region of interest comprising the soft tissue;   b) computing, without feedback from monitoring parameters, spatial and temporal parameters that, when used to control an energy source, produce a desired time-dependent thermal energy distribution in the region of interest the computing the spatial and temporal parameters including one or more step functions, u(γ), to define boundaries of the region of interest, a time excitation function, a(t), and a three-dimensional spatial modulation function, g(x,y,z);   c) delivering acoustic energy from the energy source into the region of interest by controlling the energy source with the spatial and temporal parameters, thereby producing the desired time-dependent thermal energy distribution in the region of interest, thereby initiating an effect in the soft tissue.   
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising monitoring a temperature of the desired time-dependent thermal energy distribution in the at least one region of interest. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising monitoring of results of the acoustic treatment during and/or after the delivering acoustic energy. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the desired thermal energy distribution initiates at least one biological effect in the region of interest. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the at least one biological effect is destroying tissue in at least a portion of the region of interest. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the desired thermal energy distribution generates at least one biological effect in a tissue proximate to the region of interest. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising delivering a photon-based energy into the region of interest and initiating a second effect in the region of interest. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising delivering a radio frequency based energy into the region of interest and initiating a second effect in the region of interest.