US6083166A — Method and apparatus for determining a measure of…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 94 words

A surgical device for use with an ultrasound transmitter, said surgical device comprising: a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; a first receiver disposed within said zone of manipulation, wherein said first receiver responds to receipt of a diagnostic ultrasound signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which said diagnostic ultrasound signal is received; and means for analyzing said first receiver signal to determine a measure of manipulation to the tissue within said zone of manipulation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 94 words

A surgical device for use with an ultrasound transmitter, said surgical device comprising: a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; a first receiver disposed within said zone of manipulation, wherein said first receiver responds to receipt of a diagnostic ultrasound signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which said diagnostic ultrasound signal is received; and means for analyzing said first receiver signal to determine a measure of manipulation to the tissue within said zone of manipulation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is disposed at a tip of said probe.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said means for manipulating removes energy from the tissue.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said means for manipulating manipulates tissue by introduction of a substance.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said means for manipulating manipulates tissue by introduction of a fluid.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said means for manipulating manipulates the tissue through a mechanical means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said means for analyzing accumulates a set of values of said first receiver signal over time in order to determine said measure of manipulation.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein said probe implants said means for manipulating tissue within the patient.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

The surgical device of claim 8, wherein said means for manipulating tissue is a bead.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 91 words

A surgical device comprising: a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; a first receiver disposed within said zone of manipulation, wherein said first receiver responds to receipt of a diagnostic ultrasound signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which said diagnostic ultrasound signal is received; means for analyzing said first receiver signal to determine a measure of manipulation to the tissue within said zone of manipulation; and a scanner generating said ultrasound signal.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 91 words

A surgical device comprising: a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; a first receiver disposed within said zone of manipulation, wherein said first receiver responds to receipt of a diagnostic ultrasound signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which said diagnostic ultrasound signal is received; means for analyzing said first receiver signal to determine a measure of manipulation to the tissue within said zone of manipulation; and a scanner generating said ultrasound signal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The surgical device of claim 10, wherein said scanner is disposed within the patient.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The surgical device of claim 10, wherein said scanner is external to said patient.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The surgical device of claim 10, wherein said means for analyzing comprises an imaging system for displaying an image derived from signals generated by said scanner.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 36 words

The surgical device of claim 13, wherein said means for analyzing further comprises a database comprising entries determined by empirical measurement and wherein said means for analyzing consults said database to determine said measure of manipulation.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The surgical device of claim 13, wherein said means for analyzing displays a predication of said measure of manipulation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 25 words

The surgical device of claim 15, wherein said means for analyzing superimposes said prediction over said image derived from said signals generated by said scanner.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 64 words

The surgical device of claim 10, wherein said means for analyzing comprises: means for determining a distance between said scanner and said first receiver; means for measuring an initial value of said first receiver signal; and means for correlating said distance, said initial value of said first receiver signal and a subsequent value of said first receiver signal to determine said measure of manipulation.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

The surgical device of claim 17, wherein said means for correlating comprises a database of entries determined from empirical data.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 63 words

A method of determining a measure of manipulation comprising the steps of: disposing a manipulation probe within an area of tissue manipulating the tissue with said manipulation probe; measuring a signal strength of a diagnostic ultrasound signal received at a receiver on said manipulation probe from an ultrasound scanner; and determining the extent of manipulation of the tissue based on said signal strength.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 63 words

A method of determining a measure of manipulation comprising the steps of: disposing a manipulation probe within an area of tissue manipulating the tissue with said manipulation probe; measuring a signal strength of a diagnostic ultrasound signal received at a receiver on said manipulation probe from an ultrasound scanner; and determining the extent of manipulation of the tissue based on said signal strength.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method of claim 19, wherein said step of determining said extent of manipulation comprises the steps of: determining a distance between said ultrasound scanner and said receiver; measuring an initial value of said signal strength; and correlating said distance, said initial value of said signal strength and a subsequent value of said signal strength in order to determine said extent of manipulation.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 20, wherein said step of correlating further comprises the step of consulting a database of entries determined from empirical data.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of inserting a radiation source within a patient.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of manipulating a portion of said area of tissue by introduction of a substance.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of manipulating a portion of said area of tissue by introduction of a fluid.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of destroying a portion of said area of tissue by removal of energy.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of manipulating a portion of said area of tissue by destroying the tissue with a mechanical means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of displaying an image prediction of said extent of manipulation.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of displaying an image of said area of tissue derived from signals returning from a source of said ultrasound signal.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 19, wherein said ultrasonic scanner is disposed within the patient to produce said ultrasound signal.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of accurately destroying diseased tissue in a non-invasive surgical procedure using an ultrasound scanner, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a manipulative probe into a patient such that a manipulation means of said probe is disposed within a region of diseased tissue; measuring a signal strength of a diagnostic ultrasound signal within said region of diseased tissue; beginning manipulation said region of diseased tissue; and terminating manipulation of said region of diseased tissue when said signal strength reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of accurately destroying diseased tissue in a non-invasive surgical procedure using an ultrasound scanner, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a manipulative probe into a patient such that a manipulation means of said probe is disposed within a region of diseased tissue; measuring a signal strength of a diagnostic ultrasound signal within said region of diseased tissue; beginning manipulation said region of diseased tissue; and terminating manipulation of said region of diseased tissue when said signal strength reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 142 words

A test device for correlation of image results to actual results in a system for manipulation comprising: a detector for detection of an ultrasound signal; a manipulation generator generally co-located with said detector; a series of measurement units distributed at a variety of distances from said detector, said series of measurement units for measuring an indication of a degree of manipulation; an ultrasound signal generator for generating said diagnostic ultrasound signal; and a recording device coupled to said series of measurement units and said detector; wherein said detector, said manipulation generator and said series of measurement units are disposed within an artificial in vitro material having similar physical and chemical properties of soft tissue and wherein said recording device is used to record input from said detector and said series of measurement units during manipulation of said material by said manipulation generator.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 142 words

A test device for correlation of image results to actual results in a system for manipulation comprising: a detector for detection of an ultrasound signal; a manipulation generator generally co-located with said detector; a series of measurement units distributed at a variety of distances from said detector, said series of measurement units for measuring an indication of a degree of manipulation; an ultrasound signal generator for generating said diagnostic ultrasound signal; and a recording device coupled to said series of measurement units and said detector; wherein said detector, said manipulation generator and said series of measurement units are disposed within an artificial in vitro material having similar physical and chemical properties of soft tissue and wherein said recording device is used to record input from said detector and said series of measurement units during manipulation of said material by said manipulation generator.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-07-04	2004-01-03	2004-07-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-07-04	2008-01-03	2008-07-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-07-04	2012-01-03	2012-07-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for determining a measure of tissue manipulation

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