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.

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.

A wearable element is disclosed. In an embodiment a wearable element includes at least one piezoelectric element configured to vibrate so that a haptic impression of an acoustic signal is generated, wherein the wearable element is wearable on a body.

A voice augmentation device disposed at a specific position with respect to a droplet suppressing member disposed between a speaker and a listener to suppress droplet generated from at least one of a mouth and nose of the speaker causes a base vibration input part to receive vibration from at least one of the droplet suppressing member and air between the droplet suppressing member and the base vibration input part, causes a mounting part to receive the vibration from the droplet suppressing member, causes a coupling part to receive the vibration from at least one of the droplet suppressing member and air between the droplet suppressing member and the coupling part, and causes a base vibration output part to transmit the vibration received by the base vibration input part, the mounting part, and the coupling part to air on a side of the listener.

Devices and methods are disclosed related to combined ultrasonic stimulation and photometry. A device can include an ultrasonic transducer and an optical delivery element integrated with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer can deliver ultrasound energy at a tip of the optical delivery element. In certain embodiments, the optical delivery element can be an optical fiber. A detector can generate an indication of a cell response associated with the delivered ultrasound energy.

Devices and methods are disclosed related to combined ultrasonic stimulation and photometry. A device can include an ultrasonic transducer and an optical delivery element integrated with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer can deliver ultrasound energy at a tip of the optical delivery element. In certain embodiments, the optical delivery element can be an optical fiber. A detector can generate an indication of a cell response associated with the delivered ultrasound energy.

A sensor with a mechanical waveguide may be characterized using test ultrasonic signals to generate a baseline signature, and the baseline signature may later be used to detect faults in the sensor.

A sensor with a mechanical waveguide may be characterized using test ultrasonic signals to generate a baseline signature, and the baseline signature may later be used to detect faults in the sensor.

A connector for connecting together first and second mechanical waveguides, including a first connector body having a first jaw portion provided with a first aperture for receiving the first mechanical waveguide therein, a second connector body having a second jaw portion provided with a second aperture for receiving the second mechanical waveguide therein, with the first and second connector bodies removably securable together, a first mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the first mechanical waveguide, with the first mediating body being inserted within the first aperture to be positioned between the first jaw portion and the first mechanical waveguide, and a second mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the second mechanical waveguide, with the second mediating body inserted within the second aperture to be positioned between the second jaw portion and the second mechanical waveguide.

A connector for connecting together first and second mechanical waveguides, including a first connector body having a first jaw portion provided with a first aperture for receiving the first mechanical waveguide therein, a second connector body having a second jaw portion provided with a second aperture for receiving the second mechanical waveguide therein, with the first and second connector bodies removably securable together, a first mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the first mechanical waveguide, with the first mediating body being inserted within the first aperture to be positioned between the first jaw portion and the first mechanical waveguide, and a second mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the second mechanical waveguide, with the second mediating body inserted within the second aperture to be positioned between the second jaw portion and the second mechanical waveguide.