A61N2007/0073

Imaging bubbles in a medium

A method for imaging a cavitation bubble includes producing a vibratory wave that induces a cavitation bubble in a medium, producing one or more detection waves directed toward the induced cavitation bubble, receiving one or more reflection waves, identifying a change in one or more characteristics of the induced cavitation bubble, and generating an image of the induced cavitation bubble using a computing device on the basis of the identified change in the one or more characteristics. The one or more received reflection waves correspond to at least one of the one or more produced detection waves reflection from the induced cavitation bubble. The identified change in one or more characteristics corresponds to the one or more received reflection waves.

Ultrasound therapeutic and scanning apparatus
11426611 · 2022-08-30 · ·

The present disclosure is directed to a precision ultrasound scanner for imaging, for example, the prostate in a way that produces a superior image of the prostate while removing the iatrogenic risk and patient discomfort associated with other methods of providing an ultrasound image of the prostate. The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for forming a high precision image of the prostate from outside the patient's body wherein the resolution in sufficient to image, for example, cancerous lesions on the surface of the prostate. To achieve such images, coded excitation, tissue harmonic imaging, advanced transducers operating in the 10 MHz to 40 MHz range is used to achieve a useable signal-to-noise reflection while being able to position the imaging transducer as close as possible to the prostate without risk or discomfort to the patient. The present disclosure further discloses an imaging transducer and an irradiating therapeutic transducer can be mounted such that they are movable between a plurality of positions. The irradiating transducer is, for example, about a 12 MHz transducer with a focal length of about 20 mm to about 40 mm that would produce a strong second harmonic at about 24 MHz that could be used for imaging. The imaging transducer has, for example, a focal length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm and typically operates in the range of about 25 MHz to about 40 MHz.

Neuromodulation techniques for perturbation of physiological systems

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for inducing physiological perturbations in a subject via neuromodulation, e.g., peripheral neuromodulation of a region of interest of an organ. The nature and degree of the perturbations may be related to the subject's clinical condition. Accordingly, an assessment of one or more characteristics of the perturbations may be used to determine a clinical condition of the subject.

Method and system for direct communication

Information is communicated to an individual by directing an acoustic signal transcranially to a target region in the brain. The target region is stimulated to produce a cognitive effect, and the cognitive effect is modulated or encoded to carry the desired information.

THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND APPARATUS AND METHOD
20220265309 · 2022-08-25 ·

Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING ELASTICITY WITH IMAGING OF ULTRASOUND MULTI-FOCUS SHEARWAVES IN MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS
20220266063 · 2022-08-25 ·

Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and/or imaging system and method adapted to alter placement and position of multiple (e.g., two or more) cosmetic treatment zones in tissue from ultrasound beams from a transducer, simultaneous multi-focus therapy at multiple depths, and/or dithering ultrasound beams from a transducer to alter placement and position of multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue. The system can include a hand wand, a removable transducer module, and a control module. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system may be used in various cosmetic procedures.

Device including RF source of energy and vacuum system

A method of a soft tissue treatment comprises placing an applicator adjacent to a surface of a body part, the applicator including at least one electrode, providing a fastening mechanism fixing the applicator in contact with the body part, providing a radiofrequency energy by the at least one electrode causing a heating of the soft tissue, providing an electric current to the soft tissue by the at least one electrode causing a muscle contraction, and controlling heating of the soft tissue by the radiofrequency energy and parameters of the electric current provided by the at least one electrode via a control unit, wherein an energy flux density of the radiofrequency energy is in a range of 0.01 mW.Math.mm.sup.−2 to 10 W.Math.mm.sup.−2 and a frequency of the radiofrequency energy is in a range of 0.1 MHz to 25 GHz, and wherein the body part comprises a face or a chin.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THERMAL SKULL-INDUCED ABERRATIONS DURING TRANSCRANIAL ULTRASOUND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES
20220233890 · 2022-07-28 ·

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for the dynamic correction and reduction of thermal variations in skull-induced aberrations during a focused ultrasound therapy procedure. Unlike conventional approaches involving static corrections for skull-induced aberrations, various example embodiments of the present disclosure employ ultrasound detection and a skull thickness estimate from volumetric image data to intermittently and dynamically determine corrections for skull-induced aberrations, such that aberration correction reduction is updated intraoperatively and maintained despite local thermally-induced changes in the speed of sound of the local skull region due to intraoperative intracranial heating. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, a measure dependent on the speed of sound with the skull is intraoperatively determined and compared to a previously determined value of the measure to determine a change in the skull temperature, based on a pre-determined relationship between changes in the measure and changes in skull temperature.

ULTRASONIC BEAM PATH DETERMINATION AND TARGETING

The present discussion relates to the delivery of ultrasonic therapy energy to a target region in conjunction with a clear path determination that may assess one or more of: (1) presence of non-soft tissue regions within the therapy beam path (e.g., bone or bone-like structures, gas-filled cavities, and so forth), (2) partial “lift-off” of the probe head; or (3) sufficiency of acoustic coupling. Upon determination or confirmation of at least a partial clear path with respect to some or all of these factors, the therapy beam may be delivered to the target region.

METHODS FOR SETTING PARAMETERS OF A NEUROSTIMULATION DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES
20220226671 · 2022-07-21 ·

The present invention relates the field of ultrasound and neurostimulation. The inventors have shown that using ultrasound neurostimulation with specific parameters provides similar or better effects that fluoxetine administration in depression. Such assessment was made in unpredictable chronic mild stress model in mouse. The proposed use also provides with positive effects in other cases, such as modulating emotion or attenuating anxiety-related behaviours (stress notably).