Acoustic therapy device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for delivery of therapeutic energy. The system includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signals transmitted to therapeutic ultrasound directed to fragment tumors and carcinogenic tissue in the body. The system also includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signal transmitted from the energy unit to ultrasonic energy to image and monitor the treatment site with ultrasound. The system also includes a control unit including a computer for data storage and display.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating calcified arterial plaque comprising:
 inserting an acoustic emitter into an artery of a subject;   positioning the acoustic emitter adjacent a stenotic lesion in the artery; and   emitting acoustic energy from the acoustic emitter, after said positioning the acoustic emitter adjacent a stenotic lesion in the artery, such that the emitted acoustic energy is directed toward the stenotic lesion and is suitable to treat calcified arterial plaque in the stenotic lesion.   
     
     
         25 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the acoustic emitter is coupled to a catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said inserting the acoustic emitter comprises percutaneously inserting the catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 25 , further comprising delivering energy to the emitter from an external power source to generate said emitting from the shockwave emitter the shockwave within the artery. 
     
     
         28 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the external power source is electrically coupled to the acoustic emitter. 
     
     
         29 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the acoustic emitter comprises more than one acoustic emitter. 
     
     
         30 . The method of treating calcified arterial plaque set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the acoustic emitter comprises at least two acoustic emitters. 
     
     
         31 . A vascular treatment device for treating calcified arterial plaque comprising:
 a catheter configured to be percutaneously inserted into an artery of a subject;   an acoustic emitter coupled to the catheter, wherein the acoustic emitter is configured to positioned adjacent a stenotic lesion in the artery by feeding the catheter along the catheter,   wherein the acoustic emitter is configured to emit acoustic energy within the artery toward the stenotic lesion to treat calcified arterial plaque in the stenotic lesion.   
     
     
         32 . The vascular treatment device set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising an external power source electrically coupled to the acoustic emitter. 
     
     
         33 . The vascular treatment device set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the external power source is electrically coupled to the acoustic emitter outside the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The vascular treatment device set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the external power source is configured to apply energy to the acoustic emitter suitable for the acoustic emitter to emit acoustic energy to the stenotic lesion when the acoustic emitter is in the artery adjacent the stenotic lesion.