Abstract: A device for delivery of a substance (144) using energy to protect, at a site of activation, against a side effect of another substance (156) that was delivered, is being delivered, and/or will be delivered, at another site. The activation may be non-invasive, remote and the energy beam (140) may be an ultrasound beam. A first of the substances can be activated at a particular energy level, and the second is then activated at a lower level so that a population of particles bearing the first substance is not inadvertently activated during activation of the second substance. The device may comprise a system to control the levels of energy applied.

Abstract: Ultrasound mediated delivery (USMD), real-time quantitative feedback derived (S264) therefrom, and proceeding by the system based on the feedback all are, in some embodiments, operable automatically and without need for user intervention. USMD may occur in a clinical setting accompanied by assays (S276) or real-time feedback, or by means of a wearable device that, based on feedback, regulates USMD in real time. Optionally, the user is provided an indication (S281) as to progress or success, of a treatment. Electrodes (128) may be attached across tissue in which transient pores are produced via sonoporation in the USMD procedure, and in vivo measurement is taken of an electrical parameter responsive to permeability. Therapeutic agent (S202) may be administered after particles activated for sonoporation are cleared from the circulation, to avoid, when it might exist, adverse interaction between the particles and agent.

Abstract: An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.

Abstract: An imaging correction system includes a tracked imaging probe (132) configured to generate imaging volumes of a region of interest from different positions. An image compensation module (115) is configured to process image signals from a medical imaging device associated with the probe and to compare one or more image volumes with a reference to determine aberrations between an assumed wave velocity through the region of interest and a compensated wave velocity through the region of interest. An image correction module (119) is configured to receive the aberrations determined by the image compensation module and generate a corrected image for display based on the compensated wave velocity.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, and an acoustic transducer disposed proximate the distal end of the elongated body. A variably-refracting acoustic lens is provided to dynamically adjust a direction associated with an acoustic wave coupled to the acoustic transducer in response to one or more control signals provided thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound-image-guided system and to a volume-motion-based calibration method for operating such system. The system comprises one or more ultrasound probes (20) operable to generate image volumes (13i, 13j) of an anatomical object (10). The system further comprises an adapter device (50) comprising at least one position sensor (30), the adapter device (50) being, for one use event, attachable to one of the ultrasound probes (20). The at least one position sensor (30) is at a variable position with respect to the one or more ultrasound probes (20) from one use event to another use event. The system further comprises a tracking device (51) operable to generate tracking data (32) representative of a tracking of the at least one position sensor (30) within a coordinate system (11), and ultrasound imaging device (21) operable to generate imaging data (22) of the anatomical object (10) based on the image volumes (13i, 13j).

Abstract: A medical instrument, system and method for calibration are provided. The instrument includes a body (202) and a shape sensing system (204) coupled to the body to permit determination of a shape of the body. A memory element (205, 206) is coupled to the body and configured to store data associated with calibration of the body, the data being readable through a cable (210) connectable to the body so that the data permits calibration of the body.

Abstract: An optical motion sensing system (10) for use in imaging an anatomical structure employs an optical motion sensor (20) including a body contour conforming matrix (“BCCM”) (30) and an optical fiber (40). Upon BCCM (30) being adjoined to the anatomical structure, BCCM (30) structurally conforms at least partially to a surface contour of the anatomical structure for reciprocating any motion by the anatomical structure. Optical fiber (40) is at least partially embedded in the BCCM (30) for generating an encoded optical signal (42) indicative of a shape of the optical fiber (40) responsive to any SOS reciprocal motion by the BCCM (30) during an imaging of the anatomical structure. System (10) further employs a motion tracker (50) responsive to encoded optical signal (42) for periodically reconstructing the shape of optical fiber (40) with each change in the shape of optical fiber (40) representing motion by the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

Abstract: An ultrasonic assembly suited for attachment to a catheter, e.g. for medical treatment. The ultrasonic assembly includes an adjustable ultrasonic focus mechanism arranged in connection with the ultrasonic transducer to adjust focus of ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer. The ultrasonic focus mechanism includes a fluid focus lens with at least two fluids separated by an interface such that ultrasonic waves are substantially reflected at the interface. At least two electrodes are arranged in connection with the fluid focus lens so as to allow adjustment of the interface shape, e.g. a curvature of the interface, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes. In preferred embodiments the electrodes are arranged so as to allow adjustment of the fluid focus lens in an elevation direction as well as in a radial direction. In simple embodiments with rotational symmetric geometry with the transducer positioned in the center of the fluid focus lens, ultrasonic waves can be focused in an annular ring. This is e.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid type lens system is provided that allows e.g. ultrasound imaging through the lens during adjustment of the lens. The lens includes a container enclosing two immiscible fluids, e.g. water and oil, being in contact with each other at an interface. Incoming waves are then refracted at this interface. The shape of the interface, and thereby the refraction property, is adjustable by adjusting a voltage applied to the lens. The two fluids are selected such that they together exhibit a mechanical damping which is critical or near critical. A control circuit generates the electric voltage for adjusting the refraction from one value to another, the control circuit being arranged to change the electric voltage such that a rate of voltage change is limited to avoid oscillation of the interface, thereby adjusting refraction of incoming waves at the interface in a continuous manner.

Abstract: Growth in body tissue is slowed, arrested or reversed. In one aspect, this is accomplished by providing bubbles (S315), and delivering, to cause temporary change in physiology that at least one of retards, arrests and reverses said growth, a series of one or more pulses (206) of energy to respective focal points (213) at the site of the growth. In another aspect, temporary change in physiology, such as transient vasospasm (216) in vasculature of a neoplasm, is induced via the mechanical, non-thermal effects of fluid cavitation caused by the pulses. The bubbles, for facilitating the cavitation, in some embodiments, are afforded by administration of a microbubble agent to the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesizing acoustically active biodegradable hollow spheres with a size below 1 micron. By using water soluble organic solvents and pegylated polymers, direct precipitation of these spheres is facilitated leading to a fast and convenient preparation route.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus (100, 2000, 3000, 4000, 540) includes an elongated body (110) having proximal (112) and distal (114) ends, an acoustic transducer (130, 2300, 5 3300, 4300, 544), disposed proximate the distal end (114) of the elongated body (110), and a variably-refracting acoustic lens (140, 2200, 3200, 4200, 542) adapted to dynamically adjust a direction associated with an acoustic wave coupled to the acoustic transducer in response to one or more control signals provided thereto.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound tracking system (10) includes a first and second plurality of tracking elements ((14, 16, 18),(20,22,24)), a tracking generator (26), and a system controller (28). The first plurality of tracking elements (14, 16, 18) is disposed in a first position and orientation with respect to each another and with respect to an energy emission surface (30) of a therapeutic ultrasound probe (12). The second plurality of tracking elements (20,22,24) is adapted to be coupled to a patient (42) in a second position and orientation with respect to each other and with respect to a target region of the patient which is to receive a therapeutic treatment. The tracking generator (26) emits tracking energy for use in connection with the first and second plurality of tracking elements.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid type lens system is provided that allows e.g. ultrasound imaging through the lens during adjustment of the lens. The lens includes a container enclosing two immiscible fluids, e.g. water and oil, being in contact with each other at an interface. Incoming waves are then refracted at this interface. The shape of the interface, and thereby the refraction property, is adjustable by adjusting a voltage applied to the lens. The two fluids are selected such that they together exhibit a mechanical damping which is critical or near critical. A control circuit generates the electric voltage for adjusting the refraction from one value to another, the control circuit being arranged to change the electric voltage such that a rate of voltage change is limited to avoid oscillation of the interface, thereby adjusting refraction of incoming waves at the interface in a continuous manner.

Abstract: An ultrasonic assembly suited for attachment to a catheter, e.g. for medical treatment. The ultrasonic assembly includes an adjustable ultrasonic focus mechanism arranged in connection with the ultrasonic transducer to adjust focus of ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer. The ultrasonic focus mechanism includes a fluid focus lens with at least two fluids separated by an interface such that ultrasonic waves are substantially reflected at the interface. At least two electrodes are arranged in connection with the fluid focus lens so as to allow adjustment of the interface shape, e.g. a curvature of the interface, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes. In preferred embodiments the electrodes are arranged so as to allow adjustment of the fluid focus lens in an elevation direction as well as in a radial direction. In simple embodiments with rotational symmetric geometry with the transducer positioned in the centre of the fluid focus lens, ultrasonic waves can be focused in an annular ring. This is e.

Abstract: An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment comprises applying ultrasound at a first energy level (32) to a region of interest (20) in a subject for activating a cavitation nucleation agent during a first portion of a treatment cycle (t1-t2). Ultrasound at a second energy level (34) is applied to the region of interest (20) during a second portion of the treatment cycle (t2-t3) for implementing a desired thermal therapy in the presence of the cavitation nucleation agent activated during the first portion of the treatment cycle. The second energy level is at an energy level different from the first energy level.