Disclosed herein are systems for tenderizing meat samples using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) comprising one or more transducer arrays. Further disclosed are methods and uses of the systems to tenderize meat samples.

A meat tenderizing device is provided for meat tenderizing. The device can include a substrate having at least one structural reinforcing member. The substrate may be elastomeric, and may have a body of a material that is non-conductive. The structural reinforcing member can be longitudinally aligned to inhibit longitudinal shortening or longitudinal contraction of the device. The device can provide radial or lateral compression to maintain a longitudinal length or longitudinal stretching of meat contained therein. The substrate can include a conductive material distributed therein that is thermally or electrically conductive. The structural reinforcing member can be positioned so as to control stretching of the substrate. The device can also include a phase change member on a surface of at least a portion of the substrate. The phase change member can include a phase change hydrogel that is liquid at lower temperatures and a gel at higher temperatures.

Disclosed herein are systems for tenderizing meat samples using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) comprising one or more transducer arrays. Further disclosed are methods and uses of the systems to tenderize meat samples.

An assembly according to the invention includes two pairs of relays, such as SSR semiconductor relays. The relays of each pair operate with the opposite direct current potentials. Direct current with the voltage of 220 V to 400 V as well as control lines are connected to the clamps of the controlled relays. The operation of the relays is controlled by means of a controller, such as a PLC programmable controller. The relays are connected to the first electrode clamp, and the other relays to the second electrode clamp. The assembly operates in such a way that the PLC controller activates the relays from the line, which simultaneously activate the flow of the direct current with the voltage of 220 V to 400 V and mutually opposite polarity. As a result of this, a difference of potentials appears on the electrode clamps.