Systems, methods, and devices for using ultrasound for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are provided. Ultrasound signals may be transmitted and/or received by ultrasound transducers in an ultrasound device positioned within the anatomy of a patient. The ultrasound transducers may be arranged in an array such that a first segment of the array is configured to transmit ultrasound pulses and receive ultrasound echoes for diagnostic procedures and a second segment of the array is configured to transmit ultrasound pulses for therapeutic procedures. The received ultrasound echoes may be used to generate two- or three-dimensional images of the anatomy.

One embodiment involves modifying neural transmission patterns between neural structures and/or neural regions in a noninvasive manner. In a related exemplary method, sound waves are directed toward a first targeted neural structure and characteristics of the sound waves are controlled at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure. In response, neural transmission patterns modified to produce the intended effect (e.g., long-term potentiation and long-term depression of the neural transmission patterns). In a related embodiment, a transducer produces the sound for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure, and an electronically-based control circuit is used to control characteristics of the sound waves as described above to modify the neural transmission patterns between the first and second neural structures.

A focused ultrasound stimulation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a transducer which outputs low intensity/high intensity ultrasound, an acoustic lens which is placed in close contact with a user's skin and is customized to focus the ultrasound onto a target focal point, and a fixture for fixing the transducer and the acoustic lens to each other. The acoustic lens is customized using a 3-dimensional (3D) printer based on the pre-captured user's cranial shape, to focus the ultrasound a desired focus target for each user, thereby improving accuracy compared to conventional ultrasound stimulation apparatus.

Various embodiments, described herein, provide methods and systems for the treatment of plantar fascia. In some embodiments, a method of non-invasive treatment of plantar fasciacan include the steps of identifying a damage location comprising a planter fascia; directing a conformal distribution of ultrasound energy to the plantar fascia at the damage location; creating a plurality of micro lesions in the plantar fascia at the damage location; initiating healing of a plurality of micro tears in the plantar fascia at the damage location; and sparing intervening tissue between the plantar fascia and a surface of a sole of a foot.

An approach for enhancing radiation treatment of target tissue includes identifying a target volume of the target tissue; causing disruption of vascular tissue in a region confined to the target volume so as to define the target volume; based at least in part on the disruption of the vascular tissue, determining a radiation treatment plan having a reduced radiation dose for treating the target tissue; and exposing the target volume to the reduced radiation dose based on the radiation treatment plan.

Ultrasound devices configured to perform high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are described. An ultrasound device may include HIFU units configured to emit high acoustic intensities. Multiple ultrasound devices may be disposed on a substrate, which may be configured to be flexed so that the direction of emission of the ultrasound devices can be mechanically controlled. Additionally, or alternatively, the ultrasound beams produced by different ultrasound devices may be electronically oriented by adjusting the phases of the signals with which each element of a device is driven. For example, multiple phased arrays of ultrasound devices may be used to concentrate ultrasound energy into a desired location. In some embodiments, the time at which different ultrasound signals are emitted may be controlled, for example to ensure that the combined signal has at least a desired intensity.

Various embodiments provide methods and systems for ultrasound treatment of tissue are provided. Accordingly, a method can include locating an implant in a site in a body, directing a medicant to at least one of the implant and the site, directing ultrasound energy to the site, and accelerating healing of the implant and/or native tissue at the site.

A system for delivering ultrasound energy to an internal anatomical target includes an ultrasound transducer having multiple transducer elements collectively operable as a phased array; multiple driver circuits, each being connected to at least one of the transducer elements; multiple phase circuits; a switch matrix selectably coupling the driver circuits to the phase circuits; and a controller configured for (i) receiving as input a target average intensity level and/or an energy level energy to be applied to the target and/or a temperature level in target, (ii) identifying multiple sets of the transducer elements, each of the sets corresponding to multiple transducer elements for shaping and/or focusing, as a phased array, ultrasound energy at the target across tissue intervening between the target and the ultrasound transducer, and (iii) sequentially operating the transducer-element sets to apply and maintain the target average energy level at the target. In various embodiments, the controller operates each of the transducer element sets in accordance with a pulse-width modulation pattern having a duty cycle selected to achieve the target average intensity level, energy level, and/or temperature level at the target in accordance with a time constant of the target tissue.

In some embodiments, the method can comprise locating a targeted portion of skin surface; delivering ultrasound energy to subcutaneous tissue below the skin surface; producing a biological effect in at least one of the skin surface and the subcutaneous tissue; and improving the appearance of the targeted portion of the skin surface. Improving the appearance of the skin surface can be at least one of increasing skin elasticity, reducing skin oiliness, reducing skin pore size, smoothing skin texture, reducing hyperpigmentation, treating and/or preventing acne, reducing a blemish, reducing an appearance of spider veins and/or rosacea, reducing an appearance of scars, reducing an appearance of stretch marks, rejuvenating skin, increasing collagen in the subcutaneous tissue, tightening of sagging sink, rejuvenating photoaged skin, increasing a thickness of a dermal layer, reducing a wrinkle on the skin surface, generating new tissue in the subcutaneous layer, and combinations thereof.

A therapeutic ultrasound system transmits a staggered or interleaved pattern of therapy beams for use in sonothrombolysis and other Vascular Acoustic Resonators (VAR) mediated therapy. The inventive technique minimizes VAR, e.g. microbubble, destruction due to adjacent beams, ensures uniform sonication of the targeted region by filling in the spaces between the beams in subsequent passes, and further provides a means for bubble replenishment to maximize the clot lysis from ultrasound. The technique is also applicable to diagnostic ultrasound, VAR mediated drug delivery and blood brain barrier opening.