Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and a method of making this transducer, where the transducer includes at least two piezoelectric elements, oriented adjacent to each other in a stack. Each piezoelectric element includes a first surface which includes an electrode of a first polarity, a second surface which includes an electrode of a second polarity, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, and an ultrasound transmitting surface. This surface does not include an electrode. The transducer also includes a first electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a second electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity.

Abstract: A wearable ultrasound device and method of using the device includes a power controller with a power source and at least one integrated circuit that delivers electrical power to an applicator. The applicator is electrically coupled to the power controller and a surface of the applicator transmits ultrasound to a wearer for a given duration. The applicator includes radio frequency (RF) drive electronics, an ultrasound transducer coupled to the drive electronics, a monitoring apparatus that includes a thermal cutoff coupled to the drive electronics, where the monitoring apparatus monitors a temperature of the applicator surface and the thermal cutoff turns off the applicator, if the temperature exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and a coupling bandage coupled to the applicator, where the bandage positions the surface of the applicator proximate to a wearer at a location on the body of a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable ultrasound system that can be used for a wide range of ultrasound applications. The portable ultrasound system includes an energy generating module operative to generate a driving signal that can be transformed into ultrasonic energy, where the energy generating module includes a power source, an oscillator, and a driver component. The portable ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound transducer having a piezoelectric component and a lens component. The ultrasound transducer is operative to receive the driving signal from the energy generating module, to transform the driving signal into ultrasonic energy, and to control the direction of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the ultrasound transducer. Also disclosed are devices containing the portable therapeutic ultrasound system of the present invention, as well as methods of using the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound coupling adapters, ultrasound coupling devices, ultrasound coupling systems, and methods of using the coupling adapters, coupling devices, and coupling systems in various ultrasound applications. In one embodiment, the ultrasound coupling adapter is for coupling an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound coupling medium. The ultrasound coupling adapter comprises an interface support region for operably interfacing the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound coupling medium; and an integrated means for (i) rendering the ultrasound coupling adapter inoperable, and/or (ii) preventing operation of the ultrasound transducer when not properly coupled with the ultrasound coupling adapter and/or ultrasound coupling medium.