An example method includes generating an acoustic ultrasound wave that is focused at a focal point. The method further includes sequentially directing the focal point upon distinct portions of an object to form respective shock waves at the distinct portions of the object. The method further includes, via the respective shock waves, causing the distinct portions of the object to boil and form respective vapor cavities. The method further includes causing substantially uniform ablation of a region of the object that comprises the distinct portions. The substantially uniform ablation is caused via interaction of the respective shock waves with the respective vapor cavities. An example ablation system and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium, both related to the example method, are also disclosed.

Various approaches for microbubble-enhanced ultrasound treatment of target tissue include retrieving a treatment plan stored in memory; causing administration of an exogenous agent in accordance with the treatment plan; causing, in accordance with the treatment plan, an ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue and generate a focus therein in the presence of administered exogenous agent; receiving, from a monitoring system, a measured parameter value indicating a treatment condition in response to administration of the exogenous agent and transmission of the ultrasound waves during treatment; and adjusting the treatment plan based at least in part on the measured parameter value.

The invention provides a system for treating an occlusion within a body lumen. The system may comprise an insulated outer sheath; an elongated conductive tube, wherein the insulated outer sheath is circumferentially mounted around the elongated conductive tube; and an insulated wire having a helically coiled portion at a distal end of the insulated wire. The coiled portion includes an exposed distal tip, and a distal portion of the elongated conductive tube is circumferentially mounted around the distal coiled portion of the insulated wire. When a voltage is applied across the insulated wire and the elongated conductive tube, a current is configured to flow from the exposed distal tip of the insulated wire to the elongated conductive tube to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles. In an alternate embodiment, an elongated central electrode is used in place of the conductive tube.

A method and system for treating patients with Alzheimer disease includes steps and equipment operative for subjecting a patient suffering from Alzheimer disease to a non-invasive action directed toward a patient's brain and causing a cavitation process in the patient's brain liquid in the vicinity of lesions and thereby destroying the latter.

A method and system for treating patients with Alzheimer disease includes steps and equipment operative for subjecting a patient suffering from Alzheimer disease to a non-invasive action directed toward a patient's brain and causing a cavitation process in the patient's brain liquid in the vicinity of lesions and thereby destroying the latter.

Methods of and systems for monitoringvia an ultrasonic imaging devicethe delivery of radio-frequency energy are described herein. The articles may be ultrasonically echogenic to assist with guidance.

An example method includes generating an acoustic ultrasound wave that is focused at a focal point. The method further includes sequentially directing the focal point upon distinct portions of an object to form respective shock waves at the distinct portions of the object. The method further includes, via the respective shock waves, causing the distinct portions of the object to boil and form respective vapor cavities. The method further includes causing substantially uniform ablation of a region of the object that comprises the distinct portions. The substantially uniform ablation is caused via interaction of the respective shock waves with the respective vapor cavities. An example ablation system and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium, both related to the example method, are also disclosed.

A method of treating a mobile target tissue with a laser beam includes: providing a laser device for generating a laser beam and providing an optical fiber having a delivery end for guiding the laser beam to the target tissue; a controller causes the laser device to generate one or more laser pulses substantially along the same longitudinal axis. The controller causes the laser device to provide one or more laser pulses. The one or more pulses are selected to allow a vapor bubble formed by the one or more pulse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue. The one or more pulses are delivered to the target tissue through the vapor bubble after the vapor bubble has reached its maximum extent and has begun to collapse to reduce retropulsion of the mobile target tissue.

A thrombolysis promoting module and an interventional thrombus removal device. The thrombolysis promoting module includes a driving module and a cavitation module. The driving module is an ultrasonic module for generating acoustic energy. The driving module is configured to generate ultrasonic waves with a first frequency in a circumferential direction. The cavitation module is an ultrasonic module for generating acoustic energy. The cavitation module is configured to generate ultrasonic waves with a second frequency greater than the first frequency in the circumferential direction. The thrombolysis promoting module of the present disclosure can drive the microbubble precursors and the thrombolytic drug to penetrate into the thrombus, and can induce cavitation in the microbubble precursors that penetrate into the thrombus or on surfaces of the microbubble precursors to form microbubbles.

MRI interference with a co-existing ultrasound system may be reduced or avoided by carrying out RF-sensitive operations of the treatment system only when gradient field activity of the MRI system is suppressed.