Features for high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are described. The application of HIFU for ablating tissue may be monitored in real time by imaging bubbles generated during HIFU. A single transducer array may be used by fast switching between imaging and HIFU. For imaging, the array or portions thereof may be used in receive only mode to locate bubbles generated by the HIFU. The application of HIFU, such as location and/or intensity, may be adjusted based on information from the imaging of the bubbles. Physicians and/or others may use these systems and methods to monitor HIFU procedures in real-time for optimal ablation of target tissue with minimal damage to healthy tissue.

Apparatus and methods for deactivating pulmonary nerves extending along the main bronchi of a mammalian subject to reduce ARDS effects by advancing an ultrasound transducer into the right and subsequently left main bronchus. The ultrasound transducer emits circumferential ultrasound so as to heat a circumferential tissue volume encompassing the right and left main bronchus. The energy of <10 W acoustic for <5 sec will not be sufficient to cause tissue necrosis but sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction. This treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual pulmonary nerves.

Cancer imaging methods and cancer treatment methods using thermotherapy and drug delivery are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the temperature of heated tissue is determined from radio-frequency data from an ultrasound transducer based upon a change in backscattered energy of acoustic harmonics. In another embodiment, a plurality of nanocarriers containing an anti-tumor medication are administered to a patient, and are excited in a first non-thermal ultrasound mode and/or a second thermal ultrasound mode using an ultrasound source. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of nanoparticles are administered to a patient, then at least some of the nanoparticles are heated along with tissue at a site of a tumor, and a photoacoustic imaging unit is used to determine a temperature of the heated tissue at the site of the tumor.

A medical device includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array configured to emit ultrasound to target tissue, and at least one thermoelectric cooler mechanically coupled with the CMUT array and configured to cool non-target tissue heated by the ultrasound. The medical device may be implemented in a catheter together with a solid thermal conductor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and extending along the catheter, to conduct heat away from the thermoelectric cooler. A catheter or catheter sleeve includes a tubular wall for insertion into a body channel, and at least one thermoelectric cooler coupled to the tubular wall for cooling the body channel wall. A catheter sleeve includes tubular casing for insertion into a body channel and capable of encasing a catheter, and at least one sensor coupled to the tubular casing for sensing one or more properties of the body channel wall, such as temperature and pressure.

The utility of intrathecal delivery is limited by the poor brain and spinal cord parenchymal uptake of intrathecally delivered agents. A simple noninvasive transcranial ultrasound protocol is provided that significantly increases the brain parenchymal uptake of intrathecally administered drugs and antibodies. This protocol of transcranial ultrasound can accelerate glymphatic fluid transport from the cisternal space into the parenchymal compartment. The low intensity and noninvasive approach of ultrasound in this protocol underscores the ready path to clinical translation of this technique. This low-intensity transcranial ultrasound protocol can be used to directly bypass the blood-brain barrier for whole-brain delivery of a variety of agents. Additionally, this protocol is useful as a means to probe the causal role of the glymphatic system in the variety of disease and physiologic processes to which it has been correlated.

Techniques are provided for detection and treatment of tumors using ultrasound. An early detection test may be performed on a patient. A location of a tumor may be determined based on the early detection test. Properties of the tumor may be determined based on the early detection test. Moieties may be functionalized based on the properties of the tumor. The moieties maybe introduced into the patient. The location of the tumor may be imaged using ultrasound, magnetic resonance elastography, or computed tomography to generate images of the location of the tumor. A treatment plan based on the images of the location of the tumor may be implemented using ultrasound.

A method and system for energy-based (e.g., ultrasound treatment and/or other modalities) of skin glands are provided. An exemplary method and system for targeted treatment of skin glands, such as sweat and/or sebaceous glands, can be configured in various manners, such as through use of therapy only, therapy and monitoring, imaging and therapy, or therapy, imaging, and monitoring, and/or through use of focused, unfocused, or defocused ultrasound (or other energy) through control of various spatial and temporal parameters. As a result, ablative energy can be deposited at the particular depth at which the skin gland population is located below the skin surface.

A medical device includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array configured to emit ultrasound to target tissue, and at least one thermoelectric cooler mechanically coupled with the CMUT array and configured to cool non-target tissue heated by the ultrasound. The medical device may be implemented in a catheter together with a solid thermal conductor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and extending along the catheter, to conduct heat away from the thermoelectric cooler. A catheter or catheter sleeve includes a tubular wall for insertion into a body channel, and at least one thermoelectric cooler coupled to the tubular wall for cooling the body channel wall. A catheter sleeve includes tubular casing for insertion into a body channel and capable of encasing a catheter, and at least one sensor coupled to the tubular casing for sensing one or more properties of the body channel wall, such as temperature and pressure.

A method and system for acoustic treatment of tissue are provided. Acoustic energy, including ultrasound, under proper functional control can penetrate deeply and be controlled precisely in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured for acoustic tissue treatment based on creating an energy distribution function in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured based on creating a temperature distribution function in tissue.

Disclosed is a method and device for inactivating or killing airborne bacteria, fungi, molds and viruses by passing the air through a filter material formed of a fabric having particles of zinc disposed in discrete physically isolated locations, wherein the particles of zinc and oxygen from the air form half cells of a battery whereby to create an electrical field that inactivates or kills airborne bacteria, fungi, molds and viruses passing through the filter material.