Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: A method for delivering ultrasound therapy using open-loop controls comprises inserting a distal tip of a therapeutic ultrasound applicator into a patient's urethra, the distal tip including an ultrasound transducer; acquiring ultrasound images of the patient's urethra and prostate with an ultrasound imaging probe; aligning the distal tip of the therapeutic ultrasound applicator with the patient's prostate using the ultrasound images; delivering therapeutic ultrasound energy to the patient's prostate, with the ultrasound transducer, according to a treatment plan, the treatment plan including a predetermined limited angular range for the therapeutic ultrasound energy that avoids the patient's rectum and neurovascular bundles, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound is delivered without temperature feedback data.

Abstract: A multi-frequency ultrasound therapy apparatus is configured to operate at its center frequency and at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. The center frequency can be for the entire apparatus or for each ultrasound source element. At least one source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency while, simultaneously, at least another source element can generate ultrasound energy at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. In addition, the same source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency and the higher harmonic of its center frequency, respectively, but at different times. A data storage unit that stores encrypted and encoded data is disposed on the apparatus. The encoded data includes a unique identification code of the apparatus, the condition of use of the apparatus, the center frequency of each source element, the ultrasound efficiency of each source element, and/or other parameters relating to the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for reducing electromagnetic interference arising from use of multiple ultrasound transducers in an array, particularly inside a human body that is inside a magnetic resonance imaging device. Electrical signals driving the transducers are offset in phase with respect to one another so as to achieve maximum offset of electrical and magnetic fields arising from such signals and transducers. Phase offsets are dynamically adjusted to respond to changes in driving amplitudes and frequencies so as to maintain optimal reduction of electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: When planning magnetic resonance (MR) guided high intensity focused ultrasonic (HIFU) therapy, HIFU transducer element parameters are optimized as a function of 3D MR data describing a size, shape, and position of a region of interest (ROI) (146) and any obstructions (144) between the HIFU transducer elements and the ROI (146). Transducer element phases and amplitudes are adjusted to maximize HIFU radiation delivery to the ROI (146) while minimizing delivery to the obstruction (144). Additionally or alternatively, transducer elements are selectively deactivated if the obstruction (144) is positioned between the ROI (146) and a given transducer element.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.

Abstract: An endorectal cooling device (ECD) includes an elongated body, a cooling fluid circuit, and a gas bubble removal device. The elongated body includes an insertable portion for insertion into a patient's rectum and an external portion that remains external to the rectum. The cooling fluid circuit is defined in the elongated body from the external portion to the insertable portion and circulates cooling fluid to regulate a temperature of a cooling surface on the insertable portion. The gas bubble removal device can include a coil, a tube, a mesh, and/or a hole that is disposed on or defined in the insertable portion of the elongated body, such as the cooling surface. A low-pressure source, such as a vacuum pump or a Venturi structure, can be fluidly coupled to the gas bubble removal device to remove fluid and bubbles by a suction force after the ECD is inserted into the rectum.

Abstract: A multi-frequency ultrasound therapy apparatus is configured to operate at its center frequency and at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. The center frequency can be for the entire apparatus or for each ultrasound source element. At least one source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency while, simultaneously, at least another source element can generate ultrasound energy at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. In addition, the same source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency and the higher harmonic of its center frequency, respectively, but at different times. A data storage unit that stores encrypted and encoded data is disposed on the apparatus. The encoded data includes a unique identification code of the apparatus, the condition of use of the apparatus, the center frequency of each source element, the ultrasound efficiency of each source element, and/or other parameters relating to the apparatus.

Abstract: Temperature uncertainty maps are calculated based on a rolling window of temperature maps, which is updated as new temperature maps are generated. The rolling window mitigates the effect of transient motion during a thermal therapy procedure. A clinician or an automated control system can then update a portion of an anatomical boundary or the thermal therapy applicator center based on the temperature uncertainty map.

Abstract: During the delivery of thermal therapy, the measured temperature at each pixel in a cross-sectional temperature slice of a multi-pixel thermal image is compared to a maximum temperature limit. When the measured temperature of a pixel is higher than the maximum temperature limit for a predetermined number of consecutive cross-sectional temperature slices, the pixel is masked if the absolute value of the average difference between the measured temperature at the pixel and the measured temperatures at the pixel's neighbors is greater than a maximum temperature variation. The measured temperature of the masked pixel is ignored in subsequent cross-sectional temperature slices until the delivery of thermal therapy is complete.

Abstract: A convertible patient support apparatus includes a patient support bed and a removable patient contact disposed in a hole in the patient support bed. The hole is defined by a support frame. A static membrane is attached to the support frame. One of a plurality of removable patient contacts can be removably attached to the support frame to convert the convertible patient support apparatus based on the patient and/or therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) images, with an MR system, of tissue proximal to a target treatment region in a patient, the tissue including a non-spatially uniform subcutaneous fat layer; in a computer comprising a hardware-based processor, automatically determining a thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer using a trained neural network, the neural network trained using manually-segmented MR images from previous patients; in the computer, automatically adjusting a treatment parameter based on the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer; and delivering thermal therapy to the target treatment region with a high-intensity focused ultrasound system based on the adjusted treatment parameter.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method comprises: receiving data indicative of at least one phase image captured using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device during delivery of thermal therapy by a thermal therapy applicator to a target volume within a patient's body; and processing said at least one phase image; wherein said processing said at least one phase image comprises: applying a first mask; applying phase unwrap; and applying a second mask.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible system for supporting a patient during a medical procedure includes a frame, first and second platforms, a cooling device support, a therapeutic-applicator-positioning-system support, and a pair of leg rests. The first platform is configured to support the patient. The second platform is disposed between the foot end of the frame and the first platform. The cooling device support and the therapeutic-applicator-positioning-system support are mounted on the second platform. The cooling device support positions and releasably secures a cooling device. The therapeutic-applicator-positioning-system support releasably secures a therapeutic applicator positioning system. Each leg rest includes a leg support and a foot support. The leg rests are disposed on the frame and are configured to be slidably positioned towards the head end or towards the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (300, 400, 500) comprises a high intensity focused ultrasound system (322) configured for sonicating a target volume (340) of a subject (318). The medical apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (302) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (356, 358, 360, 368, 374) from an imaging zone (308). The treatment volume is within the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (352) containing machine executable, a control module (382, 402) for controlling the sonication of the target volume using the magnetic resonance data as a control parameter, and a processor (346). Execution of the instructions causes the processor to repeatedly acquire (102, 202) magnetic resonance data in real time using the magnetic resonance imaging system and control (104, 206) sonication of the target volume by the high intensity focused ultrasound system in real time using the sonication control module and the magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: The invention provides for medical instrument (200, 400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (202) and a high intensity focused ultrasound system (222). A processor (246) controls the medical instrument. Instructions cause the processor to control (100) the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data using a pulse sequence (254). The pulse sequence comprises an acoustic radiation force imaging pulse sequence (500, 600). The acoustic radiation force imaging pulse sequence comprises an excitation pulse (512) and a multi-dimensional gradient pulse (514) applied during the radio frequency excitation pulse for selectively exciting a region of interest (239) encompassing a target zone and at least a portion of the beam axis.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound positioning mechanism (100, 200, 310) for positioning a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer (292, 304), the mechanism comprising: —a positioning plate (108, 308) adapted for receiving the high intensity focused ultrasound transducer; —a mechanism support (174) adapted for mounting the positioning mechanism; —a plurality of rods (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220), wherein each rod has a first end and an second end, wherein the first end of each rod forms a separate ball joint (122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232) with the positioning plate; and —a plurality of linear drives (146, 148, 150, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254), wherein the plurality of linear drives are mounted to the mechanism support, wherein each of the linear drives comprises a drive block (164, 166, 168, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272), wherein the second end of each of the plurality of rods forms a separate ball joint (134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 234, 236, 238, 2

Abstract: An apparatus for temperature controlling an endocavity such as the rectum during thermal therapy of nearby tissues is disclosed. In some aspects the apparatus is mechanically configured to best conform to the patient. In other aspects the apparatus is designed to eliminate gas bubbles from forming or accumulating in certain volumes that would interfere with the thermal therapy. In other aspects the apparatus is optimized for use in cooling the rectum during ultrasound thermal therapy of the prostate.