US 12,376,824 B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a therapeutic ultrasound device to perform mitral valve decalcification
Austin A. Robinson, Charlottesville, VA (US); Christopher M. Kramer, Charlottesville, VA (US); John A. Hossack, Charlottesville, VA (US); and Patricia Fiorella Rodriguez Lozano, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Assigned to University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Appl. No. 17/770,431
Filed by University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 21, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/056680
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 20, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/081105, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/923,776, filed on Oct. 21, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0409169 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 8/08 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 8/0883 (2013.01) [A61B 8/488 (2013.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00044 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A therapeutic ultrasound system comprising:
a therapeutic ultrasound (TU) transducer array comprising a plurality of therapeutic transducer elements configured to generate a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) pulse wave that is directed to a mitral valve of a target patient;
an ultrasound imaging component configured for capturing images corresponding to the mitral valve and for providing real-time steering guidance for the therapeutic ultrasound transducer array; and
a system controller engine for determining an interval period of minimal annular movement exhibited by the mitral valve, coordinating an alternating operation of the ultrasound imaging component and the therapeutic ultrasound transducer array with respect to annular movement exhibited by the mitral valve, and coordinating emission of the high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) pulse wave by the therapeutic ultrasound transducer array to the mitral valve only during the determined interval period of minimal annular movement.