Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy with a focused beam at that generates shear waves within the tissue. A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy at a first intensity level during a first period, insonating the target tissue by ultrasound energy at a second intensity level during a second period, wherein the first intensity level is higher than the second intensity level. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy with a focused beam at that generates shear waves within the tissue. A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy at a first intensity level during a first period, insonating the target tissue by ultrasound energy at a second intensity level during a second period, wherein the first intensity level is higher than the second intensity level. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an organ-sized area of stable microbubble cavitation including insonating an organ of a patient using Low Intensity Non-Focused Ultrasound (LINFU) at a first setting, monitoring the organ to detect presence of desired stable cavitation microbubble resonance and presence of unwanted inertial cavitation, when the presence of stable cavitation microbubble resonance is not detected then adjusting insonation parameters so as to increase the level of insonation, and when inertial cavitation is detected then adjusting the insonation parameters so as to decrease the level of insonation. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe configured for insonating a pancreas. The probe is sized and shaped to be placed on a patient's abdomen in an area that is just between the right and left rib cage sections. The probe transmits ultrasound energy in order to insonate substantially the entire pancreas at the same time. One or more cavitation detectors are positioned within the probe to detect an incidence of cavitation.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for evaluation of cardiac images, wherein enhanced evaluation of myocardial mechanical function is possible. The system and methods include methods for segmentation of cardiac images obtained via cMRI or other imaging modalities, wherein the segmentation allows for fusion of these images with images obtained from a different modality such as echocardiogram and/or LE-MRI. The fused images may then be used to provide a diagnosis or a recommendation for a procedure, such as implantation of a cardiac pacemaker. Moreover, follow-up evaluation may be done using only one imaging modality, such as echocardiogram, for example. The system and methods disclosed herein further provide additional post-processing, such as computation of mid-myocardial strain, which can further be useful in diagnosis and planning.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for evaluation of cardiac images, wherein enhanced evaluation of myocardial mechanical function is possible. The system and methods include methods for segmentation of cardiac images obtained via cMRI or other imaging modalities, wherein the segmentation allows for fusion of these images with images obtained from a different modality such as echocardiogram and/or LE-MRI. The fused images may then be used to provide a diagnosis or a recommendation for a procedure, such as implantation of a cardiac pacemaker. Moreover, follow-up evaluation may be done using only one imaging modality, such as echocardiogram, for example. The system and methods disclosed herein further provide additional post-processing, such as computation of mid-myocardial strain, which can further be useful in diagnosis and planning.

Abstract: Systems and methods using contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging for quantitative assessment of neovascularization, such as within a tumor or a plaque. The contrast agent moves in small blotches rather than in continuous flow, but image processing methods enable the detection and quantification of the blood flow, even in the tiny blood vessels of the vasculature tree. The image processing includes compensation for motion of the tissue arising from body movement. The position and extent of the discrete positions of contrast material may be accumulating during a complete heart cycle onto a single 2D image, to enable an indication of a vascular tree based on this local accumulated image. Dynamic processing (DP) of the discrete positions of contrast material enables a complete vascular tree to be obtained. The neovascularization is quantified by the ratio of its total area to that of the plaque in which the neovascularization has grown.

Abstract: A system and method for remodeling prediction using ultrasound are provided. The method includes obtaining ultrasound information relating to a heart and determining a likelihood of myocardial remodeling of the heart based on the ultrasound information.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method for improving the sensitivity of bolometric detection by providing improved electromagnetic power/energy absorption. In addition to its role in significantly improving the performance of conventional conducting-film bolometric detection elements, the method suggests application of plasmon resonance absorption for efficient thermal detection and imaging of far-field radiation using the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and the herein introduced Cavity Plasmone Resonance (CPR) phenomena. The latter offers detection characteristics, including good frequency sensitivity, intrinsic spatial (angular) selectivity without focusing lenses, wide tunability over both infrared and visible light domains, high responsivity and miniaturization capabilities. As compared to SPR, the CPR-type devices offer an increased flexibility over wide ranges of wavelengths, bandwidths, and device dimensions.

Abstract: The current invention provides a devices methods and systems for efficient biosensing using the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Cavity Plasmon Resonance (CPR) phenomena. The miniature biosensor comprises a stratified structure having a channel for analyte form between a substrate and thin metallic absorber layer in which plasmon are resonantly excited. Presence of analyte in the channel, changes the resonance conditions, thus changing the energy absorbed by the biosensor. Bolometric signal from the absorber; layer or detection of the radiation not absorbed by the biosensor is used to detect, measure the concentration of, or monitor the analyte.

Abstract: An ultrasound cardiac stimulation system comprising: a spatially selective ultrasound source comprising at least one ultrasound transducer located outside the circulatory system; and a controller; where the controller generates an electrical response in the heart by directing the ultrasound source to transmit a high enough power level of ultrasound to one or more locations in the heart.

Abstract: A two step method of enhancing the cavitational effect produced by ultrasonic signals focused at a specific location in a medium includes a first step of using one or more transducers to apply the ultrasonic signals to create a waveform that causes formation of bubbles at the location, and a second step of modulating the amplitude of the ultrasonic signals at a frequency of several Hz to several tens of kilohertz immediately following or coincident with the formation of the bubbles.

Abstract: An ultrasound cardiac stimulation system comprising: a spatially selective ultrasound source comprising at least one ultrasound transducer located outside the circulatory system; and a controller; where the controller generates an electrical response in the heart by directing the ultrasound source to transmit a high enough power level of ultrasound to one or more locations in the heart.

Abstract: A system and method for remodeling prediction using ultrasound are provided. The method includes obtaining ultrasound information relating to a heart and determining a likelihood of myocardial remodeling of the heart based on the ultrasound information.

Abstract: The present invention is a two step method of enhancing the cavitational effect produced by ultrasound signals focused at a specific location in a medium. The first step is to use one or more transducers to apply the ultrasound signals to create a waveform that causes formation of bubbles at the location and the second step is to modulate the amplitude of the ultrasound signals at a frequency of several Hz to several tens of kilohertz immediately following or coincident with the formation of the bubbles. The method of the invention can be effectively used for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatuses for imaging a target. An echo sequence image of the target is acquired and a log spectrum of at least a portion of the echo sequence image is computed. A point spread function is estimated by one of two methods. According to the first method, a low-resolution wavelet projection of the echo sequence log spectrum is used as an estimate of the log spectrum of the point spread function. According to the second method, an outlier-resistant wavelet transform of the echo sequence log spectrum is effected, followed by soft-thresholding and an inverse wavelet transform. Under both methods, a frequency domain phase of the point spread function also is estimated, the relevant portion of the echo sequence image is deconvolved using the estimated point spread function.