An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.

A first transducer (20) transmits a first acoustic field (22) at a first frequency into a region (24) of a medium (26), generating oscillatory motion of scatterers (28) disposed in the region. A second transducer (30) transmits acoustic pulses (32, 34) into the region, and receives respective echoes of each pulse scattering off an oscillating scatterer in the region. The pulses are synchronized with the first acoustic field such that a first pulse scatters off the oscillating scatterer when the scatterer is at a first displacement extremum (36), and a second pulse scatters off the oscillating scatterer when the scatterer is at a second displacement extremum (38) that is opposite the first displacement extremum. A computer processor (29) extracts a time shift between the received echoes, calculates a displacement amplitude of the scatterer, and outputs an indication of the displacement amplitude of the scatterer. Other applications are also described.

An implantable ultrasound conducting and drug delivering apparatus includes a drug-accommodating member and a shell-shaped ultrasound-scattering member mounted on a bottom of the drug-accommodating member. The shell-shaped ultrasound-scattering member thereon has a plurality of scattering through-holes. The drug-accommodating member has at least one linking through-hole formed on the bottom thereof to communicate the bottom of the drug-accommodating member with the shell-shaped ultrasound-scattering member. The shell-shaped ultrasound-scattering member is fitted to be disposed within a physical cavity of a patient. A drug is injected into an accommodating room of the drug-accommodating member. The drug passes through the scattering through-holes and delivers to the physical cavity. An ultrasound propagates to the scattering through-holes, and is scattered by the scattering through-holes to the tissue liquid in the physical cavity, all surfaces of an inner wall of the physical cavity and all tissues neighboring the inner wall of the physical cavity.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for tissue engagement. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw that each includes a body portion and an ear located adjacent to the body portion. The body portion is configured to receive an acoustic stack and the ear includes a slot configured to receive a first pin. The first and second jaws include an opening located between the body portion and the ear. The opening is configured to receive a second pin such that the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to rotate about the second pin.

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The high intensity focused ultrasound device can include a transducer for producing high intensity focused ultrasound. The transducer includes a shell configured to receive an acoustic stack. The acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and a plurality of electrodes. The transducer includes an air-filled pocket formed between the inner surface of the shell and the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack, wherein the air-filled pocket is configured to ensure high efficiency of the transducer.

An ultrasound energy delivery system is provided that includes a transducer and a housing.

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.

A device for shock wave production to treat a patient's body comprises a base with a condenser as power supply, an applicator having a pad, at least one piezo-element configured to generate a shock wave in response to a pulse of electric current having a pulse width, an acoustic lens configured to focus the shock wave, and a coil configured to increase the pulse width of the pulse of electric current.

Apparatuses and methods to generate high frequency shock waves in a controlled manner. The generated shock waves can be delivered to certain cellular structures of a patient for use in medical and/or aesthetic therapeutic applications. The shock waves can be configured to impose sufficient mechanical stress to the targeted cells of the tissue to rupture the targeted cells. Embodiments of the apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide targeted rupturing of specific cells without damaging side effects such as cavitation or thermal degradation of surrounding non-targeted cells.