A61B17/225

Systems and methods for modulation and mapping of brain tissue using an ultrasound assembly

Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.

Systems and methods for modulation and mapping of brain tissue using an ultrasound assembly

Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.

Confinement or movement of an object using focused ultrasound waves to generate an ultrasound intensity well

A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens includes a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

Confinement or movement of an object using focused ultrasound waves to generate an ultrasound intensity well

A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens includes a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

Thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel for removal of ureteral and renal stones

Provided herein are methods for treating nephrolithiasis and protecting the urothelium and inner lining of the kidney from thermal damage during lithotripsy by use of a thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel. The described method dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of stone clearance compared to conventional techniques while providing protection to the urothelium from potentially damaging temperature spikes.

METHODS FOR GENERATING SUBSONIC PRESSURE WAVES IN INTRAVASCULAR LITHOTRIPSY WITH MORE THAN ONE SPARK GAP

Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points or extensions that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.

METHODS FOR GENERATING SUBSONIC PRESSURE WAVES IN INTRAVASCULAR LITHOTRIPSY WITH MORE THAN ONE SPARK GAP

Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points or extensions that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.

Ultrasound imaging and therapy device

An ultrasound imaging and therapy device includes an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, wherein it further comprises a mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device and in that the ultrasound imaging device protrudes in an axial direction from the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device.

Ultrasound imaging and therapy device

An ultrasound imaging and therapy device includes an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, wherein it further comprises a mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device and in that the ultrasound imaging device protrudes in an axial direction from the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device.

PRESSURE WAVE TRANSDUCER
20180008297 · 2018-01-11 ·

A system and method for producing pressure waves accelerating a projectile membrane in response to a pulse of force produced by a power source. The accelerating membrane delivers kinetic energy to a target membrane upon collision. Following the collision, the power source may continue to deliver additional energy to the now-in-contact membranes. The kinetic energy of the impact and the additional energy following the impact contribute to producing pressure waves by the target membrane.