Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a bond is provided. The system uses an underwater spark discharge to generate a compression wave in a first vessel containing a liquid. The system further includes a second vessel in which a vacuum is pulled to hold the first vessel against a bonded structure being inspected. The compression wave is directed to propagate from the liquid into the bonded structure to apply a known force to the bond being inspected.

Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope includes: a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are arranged to form a cylinder such that respective longitudinal directions of the piezoelectric elements are aligned, each piezoelectric element being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasound wave; an acoustic lens that is located on outer peripheries of the piezoelectric elements, the acoustic lens being configured to converge ultrasound waves generated by the piezoelectric elements on an outside of the acoustic lens, and transmit ultrasound waves input from the outside of the acoustic lens to the piezoelectric elements; a housing configured to hold distal end sides and proximal end sides of both of the piezoelectric elements and the acoustic lens; and a flexible material that is located between either a distal end or a proximal end of the acoustic lens and the housing, and that has a lower elastic modulus than the acoustic lens.

Abstract: A catheter includes multiple shock wave generators electrically controlled to produce shock waves simultaneously, sequentially or in pre-determined patterns for intracorporeal treatment of blood vessels.

Abstract: Transrectal ultrasound probe for boiling histotripsy ablation of prostate are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method for a transrectal ultrasound treatment uses high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The method includes: generating a boiling histotripsy (BH) therapy ultrasound by a therapy transducer in a frequency range of 1 MHz to 2.8 MHz and a surface intensity range of 10 W/cm2 to 80 W/cm2. The therapy transducer may be about 50 mm long and about 35 mm wide. The method also includes applying the therapy ultrasound by directing ultrasound pulses having ultrasound shock waves to a target tissue at a focal depth of 2.5 cm to 5.5 cm; generating at least one ?m-scale vapor bubble at a target region; growing the at least one vapor bubble to at least one mm-scale bubble; and mechanically disintegrating a surrounding tissue by interactions between mm-scale bubbles and the ultrasound shock waves within a pulse.

Abstract: A method for determining a transformation between a first coordinate system of an ultrasonic haptic device and a second coordinate system of a visual sensor device. The method includes: triggering generation of an ultrasonic focal point; obtaining images depicting a body part of a user while the ultrasonic focal point is active; determining a position of the ultrasonic focal point in the second coordinate system when the body part of the user is in the ultrasonic focal point; repeating the triggering, obtaining and determining; and calculating a first transformation between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system based on the positions of the ultrasonic focal points in the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system to thereby calibrate a relationship between the ultrasonic haptic device and the visual sensor device.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for treating an occlusion in a body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated tube, a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair each configured to generate shock waves. The catheter also includes a flexible polymer enclosure that is fillable with conductive fluid and wrapped circumferentially around at least a portion of the elongated tube such that it surrounds the first and second electrode pairs. The first and second electrode pairs can be arranged relative to one another to promote interference between shock waves generated at the electrode pairs when voltage is delivered across the electrodes of each pair. Electrode pairs can be longitudinally adjacent (spaced a relatively small longitudinal distance apart), longitudinally aligned (at the same longitudinal location), circumferentially offset (offset about the circumference of the catheter), circumferentially aligned (at the same circumferential location), or any combination of any of the above.

Abstract: A reusable apparatus, such as a medical instrument or tool, is decontaminated by applying pressure waves with direct contact of the pressure wave applicator to the reusable apparatus in an open bath in a sufficient dosage to remove contamination but without adversely affecting the ability to reuse the apparatus.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an ultrasound treatment system. In some embodiments, the system includes a removable transducer module having an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the system can include a hand wand and a control module that is coupled to the hand wand and has a graphical user interface for controlling the removable transducer module, and an interface coupling the hand wand to the control module. The interface may provide power to the hand wand or may transfer a signal from the hand wand to the control module. In some embodiments, the treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures on at least a portion of a face, head, neck, and/or other part of a patient.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool is provided for orthopedic impacting in the hips, knees, shoulders and the like. The tool is capable of holding a broach, chisel, or other end effector, which when gently tapped in a cavity with controlled percussive impacts, can expand the size or volume of an opening of the cavity or facilitate removal of the broach, implant, or other surgical implement from the opening. A stored-energy drive mechanism stores potential energy and then releases it to launch a launched mass or striker to communicate a striking force to an adapter in either a forward or reverse direction. The tool may further include a combination anvil and adapter and an energy adjustment mechanism to adjust the striking force the launched mass delivers to the adapter in accordance with a patient profile.

Abstract: Human and animal biofilms and pathogens are treated with extracorporeal acoustic pressure shock waves at a location of prosthesis or implant in a body.

Abstract: An intracorporeal pressure shock wave includes an expandable pressure shock wave reflector at the distal end of an intracorporeal catheter to direct shock waves from a shock wave generator within a human or animal blood vessel or body lumen.

Abstract: A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

Abstract: A medical, particularly a dental or dental surgical, ultrasonic treatment device for generating ultrasonic vibrations and transmitting the ultrasonic vibration to a tool, which can be connected to the ultrasonic treatment device, the medical ultrasonic treatment device having: an ultrasonic vibration generator with a plurality of piezoelectric elements to which an electric voltage can be applied, and a circuit board to supply the plurality of piezoelectric elements with the electric voltage. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a corresponding medical ultrasonic treatment device is described.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Abstract: An ultrasound array for acoustic wave transmission comprising at least one capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) cell (6), wherein the CMUT cell comprises a substrate (4); a first electrode (7); a cell membrane (5) having a second electrode (7?), which opposes the first electrode and the substrate with a cavity (8) there between, wherein the membrane is arranged to vibrate upon the cell activation; and an acoustic window layer (13), overlaying the cell membrane, and having an inner surface opposing the cell membrane and an outer surface. The acoustic window layer comprises a first layer comprising molecules of antioxidant and a polymeric material (47) with insulating particles (41) embedded therein, wherein the polymeric material consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms and has a density equal or below 0.95 g/cm3 and an acoustic impedance equal or above 1.45 MRayl.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of inducing therapeutic adipose tissue inflammation using high frequency pressure waves (e.g. high frequency shockwaves) wherein the inflammation results in a reduction in the volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Embodiments include applying electrohydraulic generated shockwaves at a rate of between 10 Hz and 100 Hz to reduce the appearance of cellulite or the volume of subcutaneous fat in a treatment area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for improving image quality with shortened acquisition time. The method comprises: determining an accelerated image acquisition scheme for imaging a subject using a medical imaging apparatus; acquiring a medical image of the subject according to the accelerated image acquisition scheme using the medical imaging apparatus; applying a deep network model to the medical image to improve the quality of the medical image; and outputting an improved quality image of the subject, for analysis by a physician.

Abstract: An optical breakdown acoustic transducer can generate high-bandwidth, high amplitude acoustic waves via an optical breakdown process. The optical breakdown acoustic transducer can include a vessel having an interior cavity that is substantially filled with a fluid and a light source that emits light. The light can be directed through an optical element that focuses the light to at least one focal point located within the fluid, thereby causing optical breakdown and generation of an acoustic shockwave. The acoustic shockwave can then be coupled into a medium surrounding the optical breakdown acoustic transducer via an acoustic outlet coupled to the vessel. The acoustic output of the optical breakdown acoustic transducer can be tuned by adjusting the properties of the optical source and/or the shape of the cavity containing the fluid. The optical breakdown acoustic transducer can be used for imaging, sensing, communication, and mechanical disruption.

Abstract: A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic forming device includes a mold, a tank having a first wall, and a first electrode and second electrode both placed in the tank and adapted to generate an electrical discharge to create at least one pressure wave. The first wall is rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution, the electrodes have axes of revolution that are coincident with the axis of revolution of the first wall, and the first wall has a concavity oriented towards the mold.

Abstract: A lithotripter is provided for fragmenting a stone inside a patient's body. In one form, the lithotripter includes a motor having at least two modes of operation and is configured to produce first and second waveforms. A wave guide shaft is configured to transmit the first and second waveforms to the stone. In one form, at least one of the first and second waveforms is provided to the stone at a frequency that is about equal to a natural frequency of the stone. In a variation, the lithotripter may include an ultrasonic driver configured to produce an ultrasonic frequency waveform and a sonic driver configured to produce a sonic frequency waveform. The sonic driver is mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic driver. The ultrasonic driver and the sonic driver may be disposed within a driver housing. In another variation, the lithotripter may include a brushless DC motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating or preventing a valvular disease comprises: a ultrasound probe located externally to a heart of patient, able to produce ultrasound waves focused inside the heart and suitable to generate, at a focal spot, a pressure sufficient to result in cavitation, an imaging device for mapping in real time a treatment region of a cardiac valve of the patient, the treatment region comprising at least one leaflet of the cardiac valve, a controller configured for driving the ultrasound probe to emit a sequence of focused ultrasound waves, the controller being further configured for steering the focused ultrasound waves so as to scan the entire treatment region to soften the tissues of the treatment region. A method for treating or preventing valvular disease, carried out using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound processing apparatus and method, and a program that enable easy and stable measurement of tissue characteristics. A vibrator driving unit drives a vibrator incorporated in an ultrasound probe based on a vibration parameter from a vibrator control unit. The vibrator control unit supplies a vibration parameter that is set in accordance with an indication signal input via a user interface, distribution information of viscoelastic coefficients, which is a measurement result of strain computed by a strain computation unit, or the like, and controls the vibrator driving unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus that generates an ultrasound image based on a signal from a probe that captures an ultrasound image, and displays the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A device for removing objects from an in vivo subject includes vacuum tube adapted to be associated with a sheath sized to be inserted into a passageway of the subject. The vacuum tube provides a suction channel extending therethrough. A navigation mechanism is designed to guide the vacuum tube through the passageway. The removal device is designed to remove debris having an approximate diameter of between about 0.0001 mm to about 8 mm.

Abstract: An extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter and a charging and discharging circuit for an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter are disclosed. The charging circuit is formed by a resistor and a capacitor, and the discharging circuit is formed by the capacitor, a high-voltage switch and a shock wave source apparatus. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1.5 ?F˜2.5 ?F, the pressure peak value of the focus of shock waves generated by discharging to the shock wave source apparatus by the capacitor is 6 Mpa˜30 MPa, a positive pressure period of the bottom pulse width is 3 ?s and a negative pressure period is 5 ?s.

Abstract: A shock wave applicator includes a housing multiple reflectors with shock wave generators projecting into a shared cavity. The multiple shock wave generators are able to produce a variety of shockwave focal volumes and wave fronts for medical treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-emulsifier comprising a stack of piezoelectric materials, a horn at a proximal end of the stack of piezoelectric materials, and a transmission wire receivable in the horn for transmission of ultrasound waves able to be produced by the stack of piezoelectric materials. The ultrasound waves are able to be produced in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stack of piezoelectric materials and the horn. The transmission wire comprises a first end receivable in the horn and a second end remote from the first end, the second end having a bulb thereon.

Abstract: A shockwave probe transducer structure includes a shock cup, a magnetic disc and a focusing module. The focusing module includes a circular cover and a focusing member installed between the circular cover and the shock cup. The focusing member is consisted of a focusing bag or a lens and a focusing bag closely coupled to each other. The focal point of the shockwave of the shockwave probe transducer structure can be changed by simply changing the focusing module installed at the front of the shockwave probe transducer structure, so as to overcome the problems of complicated changing procedure and possible water leakage and avoid the risk of damaging an expensive shockwave system or jeopardizing the safety of people.

Abstract: A tip element for a lithotripter is provided. The tip element includes a proximal end configured for attachment to a waveguide of the lithotripter and a distal end configured for placement against at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter transmits energy from the tip element to the at least one urinary tract stone to break up the at least one urinary tract stone into fragments. The tip element may further include a tip element passage that extends between the proximal end and the distal end. The tip element passage communicates with a lumen of the waveguide for at least one of suctioning and irrigating a urinary tract. The distal end has one or more sharp edges to maintain contact between the at least one urinary tract stone and the distal end during suctioning. The distal end may be configured to limit the size of fragments from the at least one urinary tract stone drawn into the tip element passage during suctioning.

Abstract: A water management system for use in dialysis. The water management system includes apparatuses to generate purified water, and a reservoir for storing the purified water. The reservoir can be connected to a dialysate flow loop and the purified water can be generated, stored, and used for later cleaning and disinfection of the dialysis flow loop and the components thereon.

Abstract: A probe includes a probe distal end body, a vibration transmission body and a heat dissipation unit. The probe distal end body includes a first electrode. The vibration transmission body is arranged to a proximal end of the probe distal end body. The vibration transmission body transmits ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic transducer to the probe distal end body, and transmits current to the first electrode. An interior surface of the probe distal end body and an interior surface of the vibration transmission body define an interior space. The heat dissipation unit dissipates heat generated at the probe distal end body, wherein at least a portion of the heat dissipation unit is arranged in the interior space defined by the probe distal end body and the vibration transmission body. A treatment instrument includes the probe and an end effector including a second electrode.

Abstract: Medical devices, methods and kits useful in the disruption and removal of unwanted materials, such as calculi and other formations, from within body lumens are described. The disclosure describes particular embodiments and methods useful in the lithotriptic removal of stones from the salivary glands.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The transmission element and the one or more ultrasound transducers are mounted so that an acoustic path length (8) between the transmission element (5) and the ultrasound transducer (4) varies with contact force (10) imposed to the distal end region. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length between the ultrasound transducer and the transmission element and determines the contact force from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.

Abstract: A method for controlling a movement of an x-ray apparatus is provided. The x-ray apparatus has a C-arm with an x-ray source and an x-ray detector disposed opposite one another, an actuator for positioning the C-arm relative to an examination region of an examination object supported on a support facility, a control facility for controlling the x-ray source and the x-ray detector and the actuator, and an operating facility with a display apparatus and an operating unit. The display apparatus displays an image representing a part of the examination object and a target location of the C-arm being determined as a function of an input at the operating unit. The target location has a target position and a target alignment of the C-arm. A controlled variable of the actuator is determined and supplied to the control facility for controlling the actuator.

Abstract: A needle is enhanced in a medical diagnostic ultrasound image. The image intensities associated with a needle in an image are adaptively increased and/or enhanced by compounding from a plurality of ultrasound images. Filtering methods and probabilistic methods are used to locate possible needle locations. In one approach, possible needles are found in component frames that are acquired at the same time but at different beam orientations. The possible needles are associated with each other across the component frames and false detections are removed based on the associations. In one embodiment of needle detection in an ultrasound component frame, lines are found first. The lines are then searched to find possible needle segments. In another embodiment, data from different times may be used to find needle motion and differences from a reference, providing the features in additional to features from a single component frame for needle detection.

Abstract: A vibrational assembly for operative coupling to a surgical cutting element. The vibrational assembly receives a portion of the surgical cutting element and imparts vibration to the surgical cutting element within a single plane. In combination, the vibrational assembly and the surgical cutting element form a surgical cutting device.

Abstract: Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis device wherein a movable mechanism for supporting an operation panel is configured so that the degree of freedom in the position and attitude thereof is increased. Specifically, a movable section comprises the operation panel, a base, an arm mechanism, and a display unit. The movable mechanism has a lifting mechanism and a horizontal movement mechanism. The horizontal movement mechanism has a layered structure. The layered structure has, stacked from bottom to top, a left-right slide mechanism, a forward-backward slide mechanism, a rotation mechanism, and a rotation limitation mechanism. The rotation limitation mechanism changes a rotation range according to a sliding position in the forward-backward direction.

Abstract: A method and a system for destruction of an undesirable formation in a mammalian body are described. The invention is based on inserting a probe into mammalian body; said probe is electrically connectable to a control unit and upon bringing the probe in physical contact with the formation supplying pulses of energy from the control unit to the probe in order to destroy the formation. The invention further comprises counting amount of pulses being supplied to the probe and establishing a remaining service life of the probe by subtracting the amount of pulses being supplied to the probe from an amount of pulses corresponding to initial service life of the probe. The treatment session is automatically terminates as soon as amount of pulses being supplied to the probe approaches at least a fraction of the established remaining service life of the probe. The established remaining service life of the probe is stored for new treatment session.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized and configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Abstract: A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are a deforming method and device that use laser-induced breakdown. The provided method and device make it possible to shorten the focal distance, thereby improving laser beam convergence, and increase the utilization efficiency of sound waves that contribute to defoaming. Pulsed laser light is focused and irradiated into a space inside an acoustic waveguide (4), thereby generating pulsed sound waves from the illumination point (7). The pulsed sound waves propagate down the acoustic waveguide as plane waves, then propagate beyond an open end (16) as spherical waves, and break up a foam outside the open end of the acoustic wave guide.

Abstract: The present invention employs a measuring apparatus having: a holding plate for holding a subject; an acoustic matching member provided between the subject and the holding plate; and a probe for receiving an acoustic wave propagating through the subject via the acoustic matching member and the holding plate, wherein the acoustic matching member includes a first portion that contacts the subject and a second portion that contacts the holding plate, and the second portion has greater rigidity than the first portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system includes an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end. An ultrasonically actuated end-effector is attached at the distal end of the transmission member. A pressurized fluid delivery system includes a fluid nozzle in communication with at least one fluid source. The fluid nozzle is arranged and configured to deliver pressurized fluid to soft tissue at a rate to move the soft tissue away from the end-effector during use.

Abstract: An LED package including a collimator body adapted to collect and/or reflect and/or focus light. An upper plane provided by the collimator body defines a mainly horizontal plane. At least one reflection surface is provided by the collimator body and is at least partially angled to the horizontal plane. The collimator body includes a recess for receiving a lighting element including a light emitting front face such that the reflection surface extends at least partially below the level of the front face in an assembled state. Due to the angle of the reflection surface with respect to the horizontal plane of the collimator body, a small light source and a high luminous flux at the same time are provided so that the luminance and the brightness of the LED package are increased.

Abstract: Medical devices with novel spark gap electrode designs, able to control manually or automatically the electrodes gap are provided. These devices are used to generate a shock wave created by the rapid expansion and collapse of a plasma bubble that is formed between two spark gap electrodes placed in a special liquid medium, when a high differential voltage (kV) is applied to the electrodes. The resulting shock wave impacts a reflector to direct the energy into the body of an animal or a human toward the desired treatment location. This electro-hydraulic principle to create acoustic shock waves as a method of treatment is in use in the medical (lithotripsy, orthopedic use, wound treatment, burns, post-operative treatment, pain treatment, diagnosis, skin and organ transplantation supporting devices, arteriosclerosis treatment), cosmetic (treatment of scars and cellulite) and veterinary (treatment of musculoskeletal disorders) fields.