Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications
Abstract
This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control. 7 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of California (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 678576
- Patent Number(s):
- 5944687
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-639,018
- Assignee:
- Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 31 Aug 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, BASIC STUDIES; THROMBOSIS; THERAPEUTIC USES; TRANSDUCERS; ACOUSTICS; DESIGN
Citation Formats
Benett, W, Celliers, P, Da Silva, L, Glinsky, M, London, R, Maitland, D, Matthews, D, Krulevich, P, and Lee, A. Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications. United States: N. p., 1999.
Web.
Benett, W, Celliers, P, Da Silva, L, Glinsky, M, London, R, Maitland, D, Matthews, D, Krulevich, P, & Lee, A. Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications. United States.
Benett, W, Celliers, P, Da Silva, L, Glinsky, M, London, R, Maitland, D, Matthews, D, Krulevich, P, and Lee, A. Tue .
"Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications". United States.
@article{osti_678576,
title = {Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications},
author = {Benett, W and Celliers, P and Da Silva, L and Glinsky, M and London, R and Maitland, D and Matthews, D and Krulevich, P and Lee, A},
abstractNote = {This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control. 7 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1999},
month = {8}
}