Devices, systems, kits and methods are provided, that simplify focused ultrasound treatment. Devices comprise a supporting structure and a focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer having a central axis that is affixed to the supporting structure. Devices may further comprise an imaging ultrasound transducer and/or an x-ray aim, that may be attached to the supporting structure along the central axis of the FUS transducer. The FUS transducer is connected to a controller configured to control application of focused ultrasound by the transducer and may be associated with an imaging unit for imaging the treatment region using ultrasound and/or x-ray image data. The devices are hand held and easy to manipulate and aim correctly, utilizing coupling member(s) as well as feedback from the concurrently imaged treatment region.

Methods and devices for treating erectile dysfunction are disclosed. Methods are aimed at reducing blood outflow from penile tissue by delivering energy to specific penile tissue that controls blood outflow from the penile tissue and causing remodeling of the specific penile tissue. Devices may be configured to generate RF energy and to apply the generated RF energy to a penis to thereby elevate a temperature of internal penile tissue above a predetermined temperature value while maintaining a penile surface below a predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined temperature value may be set to initiate synthesis and/or a regeneration of collagen fibers in a collagen-rich penile connective tissue and/or to increase oxygenation of endothelial cells, initiate angiogenesis and neovascularization in a vascular penile tissue. Additionally, electrical penile stimulation is disclosed, possibly applicable in conjuncture with the erectile dysfunction treatment.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for use in tomographic ultrasound imaging, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound that provide for coupling acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for use in tomographic ultrasound imaging, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound that provide for coupling acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.

A method for cooling a transducer of a probe for generating ultrasonic waves, the transducer exhibiting, at the front, a face (4) for emitting ultrasonic waves, and at the rear, a rear face (5), at least the emitting face partially delimiting a cooling chamber (11) wherein a cooling fluid circulates between at least an inlet (15) and at least an outlet (16), the inlet (15) being located at the periphery of the emitting face (4) whereas the outlet (16) is located in the central part of said emitting face. The method includes creating between the inlet (15) and the outlet (16), a circulation of cooling fluid according to a swirling inside the cooling chamber around the axis of acoustic propagation (A).

Methods and devices for treating erectile dysfunction are disclosed. Methods are aimed at reducing blood outflow from penile tissue by delivering energy to specific penile tissue that controls blood outflow from the penile tissue and causing remodeling of the specific penile tissue. Devices may be configured to generate RF energy and to apply the generated RF energy to a penis to thereby elevate a temperature of internal penile tissue above a predetermined temperature value while maintaining a penile surface below a predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined temperature value may be set to initiate synthesis and/or a regeneration of collagen fibers in a collagen-rich penile connective tissue and/or to increase oxygenation of endothelial cells, initiate angiogenesis and neovascularization in a vascular penile tissue. Additionally, electrical penile stimulation is disclosed, possibly applicable in conjuncture with the erectile dysfunction treatment.

This invention relates generally to an ultrasound device configured to generate a frustum-shaped beam capable of fragmenting a plurality of biomineralizations located within a patient's body in combination with synthetic cavitation nuclei. The ultrasound device includes a transducer assembly comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, and a multi-channel amplifier circuit. Each channel of the multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to actuate a distinct subset of the plurality of transducer elements. The multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to operate in each of a plurality of states, each state of comprising a set of frequencies at which each channel of the multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to actuate the distinct subset of transducer elements. The multi-channel amplifier circuit is further configured to switch between the plurality of states, thereby causing the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements to produce a frustum-shaped beam.

The present invention relates to a method for treating the kidney with extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner and in particular, to such a method for the treatment of the nephrons about the glomerulus.

An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.

A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.