Systems and methods for estimating the location of a wave source based upon low frequency measurements acquired using multiple receivers. In one aspect, a method for estimating an end range of a radiation beam delivered to a target is provided. The method includes controlling a radiation treatment system to deliver a radiation beam inducing at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave inside a target, and detecting, using receivers positioned about the target, sonic signals corresponding to the at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave. The method also includes analyzing the sonic signals to determine differences in times-of-flight associated with different receivers, and estimating an end range of the radiation beam by correlating the differences in times-of-flight. The method further includes generating a report indicative of the end range of the radiation beam.

The invention relates to a device (100) and a corresponding method for thermoacoustic sensing, in particular thermoacoustic imaging, the device (100) comprising: a) an irradiation unit (10) configured to generate electromagnetic and/or particle energy exhibiting a first modulation, the first modulation comprising at least one frequency and to continuously emit the energy towards a target (1), whereby acoustic waves are continuously generated in the target, the acoustic waves exhibiting a second modulation, the second modulation comprising the at least one frequency and/or a harmonic frequency of the at least one frequency; b) a detection unit (20) configured to simultaneously detect the acoustic waves exhibiting the second modulation while the energy exhibiting the first modulation is being continuously emitted towards the target (1); and c) a processing unit (30) configured to determine at least one thermoacoustic value of an amplitude and/or a phase of the second modulation of the acoustic waves at the at least one frequency and/or at a harmonic frequency of the at least one frequency. The invention allows for fast and economic thermoacoustic sensing, in particular imaging of a region of interest of an object.

Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.

A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.

A thermoacoustic imaging system and method for monitoring tissue temperature within a region of interest, which has an object of interest and a reference that are separated by at least one boundary. The system and method include a thermoacoustic imaging system with an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest and heat tissue therein, an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest, and one or more processors that process at least one received bipolar acoustic signal generated in the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof and calculate a temperature at the at least one boundary using the peak-to-peak amplitude of the at least one bipolar acoustic signal.

A method and system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. The method and system include a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are able to process bipolar acoustic signals received by the acoustic receiver in response to RF energy pulses emitted into the region of interest using the RF applicator to determine a setting for the RF applicator that yields bipolar acoustic signals with at least one enhanced metric thereof, determine an impedance of the RF applicator used to yield acoustic bipolar signals with the enhanced at least one metric, and estimate fractional fat content of the object of interest using the determined impedance.

A method and system for reconstructing a thermoacoustic image that utilizes the steps of directing radio frequency (RF) energy pulses generated by an RF source into a tissue region of interest; detecting, at each of a plurality of views along a scanning trajectory of a transducer element array about the region of interest, acoustic signals generated within the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and generating thermoacoustic data; applying at least one correction kernel to the thermoacoustic data; and after the at least one correction kernel has been applied to the thermoacoustic data, reconstructing a thermoacoustic image therefrom.

A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.

A body fat combustion amount measurement device includes: a sample gas passage through which an exhaled gas flows; a sample gas chamber having an inlet through which a part of the exhaled gas flowing through the sample gas passage is introduced and an outlet through which the exhaled gas is discharged, the sample gas chamber configured to define an internal space through which the exhaled gas flows; a photoionization detector disposed in the internal space of the sample gas chamber and configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to an amount of acetone contained in the exhaled gas existing inside the sample gas chamber; and a heater configured to increase a temperature of the internal space of the sample gas chamber to prevent moisture contained in the exhaled gas from being condensed in the sample gas chamber.

A method and system for enhancing radio frequency energy delivery to a tissue region of interest. The method and system direct with a radio frequency (RF) applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest, the tissue region of interest comprising an object of interest and at least one reference that are separated by at least one boundary; detect with an acoustic receiver, at least one bipolar acoustic signal generated in the tissue region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the at least one bipolar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof; adjust the RF applicator to maximize the peak-to-peak amplitude of bipolar acoustic signals generated in the tissue region of interest in response to RF energy pulses generated by the adjusted RF applicator; and direct with the adjusted RF applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the region of interest.