Disclosed are methods of using focused acoustic waves for providing non-invasive sonodynamic therapy. The method includes acoustically coupling an array of piezoelectric transducers to a patient. A controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal at a frequency selected from a range of frequencies, modulate the drive signal, and drive the transducer with the modulated drive signal at the frequency to produce modulated acoustic waves to produce an average acoustic intensity sufficient to activate a sonosensitizer in a treatment region without damaging healthy cells in the treatment region.

Disclosed are methods of using planar or defocused acoustic waves for providing non-invasive sonodynamic therapy. The method includes acoustically coupling an array of piezoelectric transducers to a patient. A controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal at a frequency selected from a range of frequencies, modulate the drive signal, and drive the transducer with the modulated drive signal at the frequency to produce modulated acoustic waves to produce an average acoustic intensity sufficient to activate a sonosensitizer in a treatment region without damaging healthy cells in the treatment region.

Disclosed are methods of producing ultrasound waves for providing sonodynamic therapy. The method includes coupling a sonodynamic therapy device with an array of piezoelectric transducer elements to a skin surface. A controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to produce ultrasound waves to activate a sonosensitizer in a treatment region without damaging healthy cells in the treatment region.

Apparatus (18) assesses a characteristic of a tissue (46). A set (80) of one or more acoustic transducers (50, 54) transmits a first acoustic field (48) at a first frequency into the tissue, generating oscillatory motion at the first frequency of scatterers disposed in the tissue. A second acoustic field (56) at a second frequency higher than the first frequency is transmitted into the tissue. Echo data is received due to the second acoustic field scattering off an oscillating scatterer that is oscillating at the first frequency. A computer processor (29) derives an indication of acoustic impedance of the tissue based on the echo data, and drive an output device (40) to output an indication of whether the tissue is or may be a tumor, based on the indication of the acoustic impedance. Other embodiments are also described.

A multi-frequency ultrasound therapy apparatus is configured to operate at its center frequency and at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. The center frequency can be for the entire apparatus or for each ultrasound source element. At least one source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency while, simultaneously, at least another source element can generate ultrasound energy at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. In addition, the same source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency and the higher harmonic of its center frequency, respectively, but at different times. A data storage unit that stores encrypted and encoded data is disposed on the apparatus. The encoded data includes a unique identification code of the apparatus, the condition of use of the apparatus, the center frequency of each source element, the ultrasound efficiency of each source element, and/or other parameters relating to the apparatus.

An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound device configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. The ultrasound device includes a rotatable, flexible elongate drive cable comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first ultrasound element disposed at the distal portion of the drive cable and configured to obtain imaging data of the body lumen while rotating, and a second ultrasound element disposed at the distal portion of the drive cable and configured to apply an ultrasound therapy to the body lumen while rotating. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Ultrasound (US) apparatus and method for applying low energy US onto an internal tissue/organ, including a non-invasive US appliance used on a treatment region over the internal tissue/organ, and an electrical stimulation apparatus for simultaneously inducing interferential electrical stimulation. A controller controls parameters of the electrical stimulation apparatus and the US appliance, and dynamically changes at least one of the parameters, for maintaining the impedance of the body tissue in the treatment region within an impedance range. The US apparatus includes an impedance monitoring apparatus for continuously measuring, tracking, and monitoring impedance in the treatment region, wherein the controller dynamically changes at least one of the parameter in response to the impedance as monitored, for maintaining the impedance within the predefined range. The internal tissue/organ can be a female fertility organ, which can be, an ovarian follicle, a blood vessel of the uterus (womb), the ovary, the endometrial lining, and the Fallopian tube, ulcer, closed wound, internal injury, inflammation. and nerves.

A universal ultrasound device having an ultrasound probe includes a semiconductor die; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers integrated on the semiconductor die, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured to operate a first mode associated with a first frequency range and a second mode associated with a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range is at least partially non-overlapping with the second frequency range; and control circuitry configured to: control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the first frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the first mode; and control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the second frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the second mode.

Methods of treating tumors by administering compounds to a patient are provided. Compounds such as pro drugs, e.g., 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), may be administered to the patient orally, by injection, intravenously, or topically, which then accumulate preferentially as compounds such as protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in tumor cells. After such accumulation, compounds such as PpIX are then activated in various aspects to treat tumors cells, thereby treating cancer. Cancers such as glioblastoma may be treated.

Cancer treatment methods using thermotherapy and/or enhanced immunotherapy are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of administering a plurality of nanoparticles to target a tumor in a patient, the nanoparticles being coated with an antitumor antibody, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), and a polymer, and the nanoparticles containing medication and/or gene, and a dye or indicator in the polymer coating, at least some of the nanoparticles attaching to surface antigens of tumor cells so as to form a tumor cell/nanoparticle complex; exciting the nanoparticles using an ultrasound source generating an ultrasonic wave so as to peel off the polymer coating of the nanoparticles, thereby releasing the dye or indicator into the circulation of the patient and the medication and/or gene at the tumor site; and imaging a body region of the patient so as to detect the dye or indicator released into the circulation of the patient.