Abstract: A portable ultrasound probe is described having a mechanical transducer, rotating mirror, and mirror motor. The transducer can be used for diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance imaging. The probe has a light weight design for easy one-handed use, and can use external processors to provide proper image display with accompanying software.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound probe is described having a mechanical transducer, rotating mirror, and mirror motor. The transducer can be used for diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance imaging.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound probe is described having a mechanical transducer, rotating mirror and mirror motor. The transducer can be used for diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance imaging. The probe has a light weight design for easy one handed use, and can use external processors to provide proper image display with accompanying software.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound probe is described having a mechanical transducer, rotating mirror, and mirror motor. The transducer can be used for diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance imaging.

Abstract: A method and system for checking functionality of an ultrasound therapy head. The waveform profile for typical ultrasound reflections for a functional therapy head are stored, and before use of a therapy head, an ultrasound energy burst (700) is sent, and the actual waveform profile of the returned reflections (702) are compared to the stored waveform profiles (706). If the actual profiles are not sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then a first signal (712) may be generated, which may cause the ultrasound therapy device to shut down or may generate a warning. If the actual profiles are sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then operation may continue (714), or a second signal may be produced, permitting operation of the ultrasound therapy device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (100) are described for modifying unwanted tissue for cosmetic reasons. The methods provide a non-invasive manner to perform body contouring by destroying adipose tissue while simultaneously causing collagen contraction in a single procedure. Adipose tissue destroyed during the medical procedure may be removed from a treatment volume during the wound healing process, allowing the treatment volume to gradually shrink (22). The gradual shrinkage may promote better skin tone in the treatment area. The procedure may involve multiple treatments to the same treatment area or location.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.

Abstract: Therapy heads and related medical systems having an actuation assembly for controlling the position/orientation of a directional energy applicator in at least two planes are disclosed. A therapy head includes an enclosure, a partition separating a lower compartment from an upper compartment, an aperture in the partition, a control arm extending through the aperture, an actuation assembly positioned within the upper compartment, and a directional energy applicator positioned in the lower compartment for transmitting energy through a window. The control arm includes an upper end disposed within the upper compartment and a lower end disposed within the lower compartment. The actuation assembly is coupled with the upper end of the control arm such that the control arm is movable by the actuation assembly in at least two planes. The directional energy applicator is coupled with the lower end of the control arm.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for increasing the accuracy of ultrasound power delivered to and received from a patient by an HIFU system having exchangeable components. The system components include one or more memory devices in which calibration parameters for the component are stored, such as when the component is manufactured. During operation of the system, the calibration parameter data is received from the memory and used by the system to adjust the output power of one or more ultrasound sources and/or received signal levels based on the received calibration parameters. The calibration parameters may include data relating to impedance, sensitivity, transfer functions, linearity, or other data that could affect the power delivered to a patient by the component.

Abstract: Medical devices are disclosed that include a tunable ultrasonic transducer assembly, as well as related assemblies and methods. A medical device includes a transducer controller, a transducer having an input side connected with the ultrasound transducer controller via an input electrical conductor, and a tuning assembly that is electrically connected between the input electrical conductor and the ground potential. The tuning assembly is adjustable to provide a selected inductance from a number of different inductance values. The tuning assembly includes a multi-position switch and a plurality of tuning inductors. The switch is operable to select combinations of tuning inductors, thereby providing a selected inductance value between the input electrical connector and the ground potential so as inductively tune the medical device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (100) are described for modifying unwanted tissue for cosmetic reasons. The methods provide a non-invasive manner to perform body contouring by destroying adipose tissue while simultaneously causing collagen contraction in a single procedure. Adipose tissue destroyed during the medical procedure may be removed from a treatment volume during the wound healing process, allowing the treatment volume to gradually shrink (22). The gradual shrinkage may promote better skin tone in the treatment area. The procedure may involve multiple treatments to the same treatment area or location.

Abstract: A method and system for checking functionality of an ultrasound therapy head. The waveform profile for typical ultrasound reflections for a functional therapy head are stored, and before use of a therapy head, an ultrasound energy burst (700) is sent, and the actual waveform profile of the returned reflections (702) are compared to the stored waveform profiles (706). If the actual profiles are not sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then a first signal (712) may be generated, which may cause the ultrasound therapy device to shut down or may generate a warning. If the actual profiles are sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then operation may continue (714), or a second signal may be produced, permitting operation of the ultrasound therapy device.

Abstract: Therapy heads and related medical systems having an actuation assembly for controlling the position/orientation of a directional energy applicator in at least two planes are disclosed. A therapy head includes an enclosure, a partition separating a lower compartment from an upper compartment, an aperture in the partition, a control arm extending through the aperture, an actuation assembly positioned within the upper compartment, and a directional energy applicator positioned in the lower compartment for transmitting energy through a window. The control arm includes an upper end disposed within the upper compartment and a lower end disposed within the lower compartment. The actuation assembly is coupled with the upper end of the control arm such that the control arm is movable by the actuation assembly in at least two planes. The directional energy applicator is coupled with the lower end of the control arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing clocking between various components or sub-components are shown. Embodiments implement an implied clock technique which reduces the number of signal lines, signaling overhead required for an encoded clock signal, and/or and power consumption for a high speed communication link. In accordance with embodiments efficient communication is provided between a core device and a remote device by the core device providing both clock and data signals to the remote device and the remote device providing a data signal at a predetermined clock rate without communicating its clock signal. The core device of this embodiment determines an “implied clock” suitable for accurately receiving data from the remote device.

Abstract: Systems and methods which partition ultrasound signal processing between an ultrasound system main processing unit and transducer assembly are shown. A particular division of signal processing functionality disposed in the main processing unit and the transducer assembly may be selected to provide a desired weight balance, a desired level of processing for data communication between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly, etcetera. Battery capacity may additionally or alternatively be partitioned between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are shown which provide feedback with respect to the desired or proper placement of a medical device guide without introducing protuberances or other perturbations to the surface of devices used in medical procedures. Embodiments provide a biopsy needle guide bracket for use with an ultrasound transducer assembly, wherein the biopsy needle guide bracket and ultrasound transducer assembly are adapted to detect when the biopsy needle guide bracket is properly located on the ultrasound transducer assembly using one or more sensors. Embodiments may implement various sensor technology, such as Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, capacitive coupled sensors, inductive coupled sensors, and/or the like to provide feedback with respect to placement of a medical device guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous wave Doppler beam former application specific integrated circuit (CW-ASIC). The beam former may be a transmit or receive beam former.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which power-down (reduce power to or deactivate) circuits in an ultrasound system during periods in which an acoustic signal is not being acquired, although image processing and other system functions are continued normally. Such circuits may be powered-down between each of a series of acoustic signal acquire operations, such as between acoustic signal scan lines and/or between acoustic signal scan frames. The circuitry which is powered-down between scan lines and scan frames may not the same, although some circuitry may be common to both. Embodiments may further operate to adjust the acoustic signal dead time circuitry power-down cycle, such as by adjusting acoustic signal frame rates. Power-down techniques may be utilized in addressing power issues and/or in controlling thermal aspects of the operation of an ultrasound diagnostic system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system and method which, in one embodiment, partitions the main body processing such that a portion of the processing is contained within the transducer thereby reducing the need for a multiplicity of high performance cables running between the transducer and the main body. This is possible through the use of a unique architecture to allow for proper power management given the small transducer size and an architecture that exploits the high levels of integration possible on integrated circuit technologies allowing for its implementation in a few highly integrated circuits with virtually no external components outside of the ICs.