Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a surgical operation support system for obtaining position information of a device outside an imaging area and presenting the position information to a user together with an ultrasound image. The surgical operation support system includes the ultrasound imaging apparatus, an ultrasonic source fixed to a therapeutic tool to be inserted into a subject body, a display device for displaying the ultrasound image and the position of the ultrasonic source. The ultrasound imaging apparatus is provided with a position estimator for estimating the position information of the ultrasonic source, and the position estimator analyzes a grating lobe artifact (false image) that is generated by the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic source outside the imaging area, to estimate the position information of the ultrasonic source with respect to the imaging area.

Methods and systems are provided for treating target cells in a target tissue. The method comprises: determining frequency and magnitude of a periodic force to be applied to the target cells to trigger a mechanically-induced apoptotic process in the target cells; and generating a sequence of programmed cycles of waves to the target tissue to apply the periodic forces to the target cells for a period of time. In some cases, the frequency, magnitude and the period of time are determined based at least in part on the type of target cells or mechanical properties of the target cells.

An improved system and method of endobronchial imaging of lung nodules comprises the introduction of a perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid into pulmonary passages of the lungs, the introduction of which enables better coupling between an endobronchial ultrasonic imaging system and a target tissue site within the pulmonary passages of the lungs, the improved coupling between the ultrasonic imaging system and a target tissue site being imparted by the removal (at least in part) the air interface present between the ultrasonic imaging system and the surface of the target tissue site. Furthermore, the unique properties of perfluorocarbon liquids (for example, the properties of superb biocompatibility, high affinity for dissolving oxygen, and extremely low surface tension) further position these substances to be particularly well-suited for this application.

An ultrasound apparatus of a body cavity insertable type includes: a handpiece; a supporting rod which is elongated from the handpiece; an ultrasound probe which is connected to the supporting rod and is configured to be able to be inserted in the body cavity; and a sealing cover which is separably coupled to the ultrasound probe to at least partially surround the ultrasound probe in a longitudinal direction from a distal end thereof. The ultrasound probe includes: a piezoelectric element; and a housing to which the piezoelectric element is mounted. An end of the housing is connected to the supporting, and the housing is provided with an ultrasound passing hole which is disposed outside the supporting rod. The sealing cover has an ultrasound passing window which is formed at a position corresponding to the ultrasound passing hole.

Systems, methods and devices for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation in the treatment of subjects having neoplastic conditions are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for interventionally treating a cancerous tumor and cancer related pain are disclosed.

Methods for treating a human patient diagnosed with cancer with therapeutic neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological processes associated with the progression of cancer. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods that attenuate neural traffic along target sympathetic nerves innervating tissue proximate a primary malignant tumor. Other aspects are directed to methods that at least partially inhibit sympathetic neural activity in a renal nerve of a patient diagnosed with cancer or who has a high risk of developing cancer. Targeted sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a measurable physiological parameter corresponding to the progression of cancer in the patient. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly, e.g., a therapeutic assembly configured to use electrically-induced, thermally-induced, and/or chemically-induced approaches to modulate the target sympathetic nerve.

A method of recanalizing a lumen of a vessel includes positioning an ultrasonic device having a distal end in a first position within the lumen of the vessel; transmitting pulsed ultrasonic vibrations though the ultrasonic device to the distal end; and advancing the distal end through the lumen to recanalize the vessel.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, digestive disease, urological disease, cancers, tumors, pains, asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by delivering of an effective amount of formulations at desired temperature to target tissue. The formulations include gases, vapors, liquids, solutions, emulsions and suspensions of one or more ingredients. The temperature may enhance safety and efficacy of the formulations for the treatments. The amounts of the formulation and/or energy are effective to injury or damage the tissues to have a benefit of symptom relive.

A method for treating central nervous system tumors is a patient comprising: treating the patient intravenously with therapeutic agent including Cremophor EL-free paclitaxel, and disrupting a blood-brain barrier within the brain of the patient by the use of an ultrasound device and intravenous microbubble injection. In other methods, the subject is treated with a therapeutic agent comprising an albumin-bound paclitaxel that crosses the blood brain barrier. In this manner, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier increases the concentration of paclitaxel in the brain as compared to the concentration of paclitaxel in the brain without blood-brain barrier disruption and intravenous microbubble injection.

An apparatus having an implantable ultrasound generating treating device to induce brain disorder treatment, suitable for implantation in or under the skull bone of a patient, includes several ultrasound generating transducers, which are connectable by a common electrical connection circuit to a generator, and wherein the ultrasound generating transducers each have one or several operating frequencies. The transducers include the group of transducers having several transducers driven by a same electrical drive signal, and connected to the generator system by a common electrical connection circuit, where the electric drive signal serves both as power signal and as a control signal for operating selectively, within said group, at least one or the other of a first transducer or sub-group of transducers, and of a second transducer or sub-group of transducers. The apparatus is also used to treat brain disorders.