Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for releasing extracellular vesicles. The disclosed system can include an ultrasound assembly configured to apply an ultrasound treatment to a target tissue of the subject, a sampling device configured to collect a sample from the subject, and an analysis device configured to analyze a biomarker in the sample. The ultrasound assembly can include an ultrasound transducer and a function generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cavitation-guided opening of a targeted region of tissue within a primate skull are provided. In one example, a method includes delivering one or more microbubbles to proximate the targeted region, applying an ultrasound beam, using a transducer, through the skull of the primate to the targeted region to open the tissue, transcranially acquiring acoustic emissions produced from an interaction between the one or more microbubbles and the tissue, and determining a cavitation spectrum from the acquired acoustic emissions.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for single transducer harmonic motion imaging. The disclosed system can include a transducer. The transducer can be configured to generate an amplitude-modulated acoustic radiation force (AM-ARF) by sinusoidally modulating a duration of an excitation pulse of an acoustic radiation force, induce a harmonic motion on a target tissue using the AM-ARF, and simultaneously track the harmonic motion by collecting a tracking pulse. The tracking pulse can be interleaved between the excitation pulse.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for simultaneous blood-brain barrier opening and cavitation imaging. The disclosed system can include a transducer and a processor. The transducer can be configured to generate a plurality of focused transmits and simultaneously obtain a plurality of power cavitation images. The processor can be configured to control a parameter of the focused transmits, acquire the power cavitation images between each focused transmit, and generate a cavitation map based on the power cavitation images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for harmonic motion elastography. The disclosed system can include a focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer for applying a push to a target tissue; an imaging transducer for obtaining radio frequency (RF) signals from the target tissue, and a processor configured to estimate the mechanical properties of the target tissue by extracting a shear wave from the RF signals and estimating a shear wave speed.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for opening target tissue. The disclosed system can include a navigation guidance device configured to locate and/or monitor the target tissue, a single-element transducer for stimulating the target tissue with focused ultrasound (FUS), and a processor configured to determine a cavitation mode. The navigation guidance device can include a cavitation detector and an arm. The single-element transducer can be attached to the arm and be configured to induce the FUS with a predetermined parameter to open the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cavitation-guided opening of a targeted region of tissue within a primate skull are provided. In one example, a method includes delivering one or more microbubbles to proximate the targeted region, applying an ultrasound beam, using a transducer, through the skull of the primate to the targeted region to open the tissue, transcranially acquiring acoustic emissions produced from an interaction between the one or more microbubbles and the tissue, and determining a cavitation spectrum from the acquired acoustic emissions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cavitation-guided opening of a targeted region of tissue within a primate skull are provided. In one example, a method includes delivering one or more microbubbles to proximate the targeted region, applying an ultrasound beam, using a transducer, through the skull of the primate to the targeted region to open the tissue, transcranially acquiring acoustic emissions produced from an interaction between the one or more microbubbles and the tissue, and determining a cavitation spectrum from the acquired acoustic emissions.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring cardiac ablation procedures are disclosed. The system can comprise an imaging device and an image processor. The imaging device can be configured to acquire successive frames and radio frequency signal data of a heart. The image process, coupled to the imaging device, can be configured to obtain a signal envelope of the radio frequency signal data, generate a strain map based on the signal envelope, apply a strain threshold to the strain map for classification of lesion tissue, and provide an image which visualizes lesion formation during the cardiac ablation procedures in real-time.

Abstract: Ultrasound methods, devices, and systems are described which support a useful compromise in terms of spatial resolution and temporal resolution for capturing motion in tissue structures. Tissue engineering articles, methods, systems, and devices which employ ultrasound to deliver biological agents to selected regions of a tissue scaffold, deliver mechanical stimulation to cells growing in a tissue scaffold, and enhance the perfusion of fluids through tissue scaffolds.

Abstract: Techniques for modulating peripheral nerves using focused ultrasound (FUS) are provided. Methods include locating a peripheral nerve in a subject using an imaging probe, providing a FUS having one or more ultrasound parameters to a location on the peripheral nerve, and modulating the peripheral nerve. The methods can further include eliciting and measuring a physiological response from the FUS modulation, generating tissue deformation in the vicinity of the FUS modulation, and imaging the nerve and the tissue deformation simultaneously with FUS modulation. Systems for use in the modulation of peripheral nerves are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for modulating peripheral nerves using focused ultrasound (FUS) are provided. Methods include locating a peripheral nerve in a subject using an imaging probe, providing a FUS having one or more ultrasound parameters to a location on the peripheral nerve, and modulating the peripheral nerve. The methods can further include eliciting and measuring a physiological response from the FUS modulation, generating tissue deformation in the vicinity of the FUS modulation, and imaging the nerve and the tissue deformation simultaneously with FUS modulation. Systems for use in the modulation of peripheral nerves are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting electromechanical wave propagation within a body structure of a patient in a series of image frames representing movement the body structure are provided. Image data is acquired comprising a series of image frames corresponding to the movement of a body structure. A correlation calculation is performed on the image frames to generate a displacement map representing the relative displacement between the first and second image frames. A video is generated comprising a series of displacement maps. The parameters of movement of the body structure are detected by analysis of the displacement maps. The image acquisition can detect the movement of the body structure without inducing such movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting electromechanical wave propagation within a body structure of a patient in a series of image frames representing movement the body structure are provided. Image data is acquired comprising a series of image frames corresponding to the movement of a body structure. A correlation calculation is performed on the image frames to generate a displacement map representing the relative displacement between the first and second image frames. A video is generated comprising a series of displacement maps. The parameters of movement of the body structure are detected by analysis of the displacement maps. The image acquisition can detect the movement of the body structure without inducing such movement.

Abstract: Techniques for mapping behavior of a heart include acquiring a series of two or more images of the heart. The series of images is taken at one or more pixel locations, each pixel location corresponding to a region of the heart. Image data corresponding to the pixel locations can be obtained, and a periodicity of the image data measured for each of the pixel locations over the series of images. The periodicity corresponds to an electromechanical signal of the heart in the region corresponding to the measured one or more pixel locations.

Abstract: Techniques for selective modulation of motor neuronal activity in a peripheral nervous system using a focused ultrasound assembly are provided. Methods include adjusting a pulse repetition frequency parameter of a focused ultrasound to selectively modulate a location on a peripheral nerve and modulating the peripheral nerve with the focused ultrasound to increase a temperature of the peripheral nerve. The modulating can comprise one or more of exciting and inhibiting the peripheral nerve with the focused ultrasound, either separately or in combination. Methods can further include locating the peripheral nerve using an imaging probe, monitoring a physiological response to the modulating, and changing the one or more ultrasound parameters in response to the physiological response. Systems for use in the modulation of peripheral nerves are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cavitation-guided opening of a targeted region of tissue within a primate skull are provided. In one example, a method includes delivering one or more microbubbles to proximate the targeted region, applying an ultrasound beam, using a transducer, through the skull of the primate to the targeted region to open the tissue, transcranially acquiring acoustic emissions produced from an interaction between the one or more microbubbles and the tissue, and determining a cavitation spectrum from the acquired acoustic emissions.

Abstract: Systems for modulating one or more neurons using focused ultrasound (FUS) include a transducer mount, a recording chamber disposed at an angle relative the transducer mount and configured to contain the one or more neurons within the recording chamber, an ultrasound transducer disposed on the transducer mount to provide an ultrasound stimulus having one or more ultrasound parameters to the one or more neurons, and a processor configured to adjust the one or more ultrasound parameters to produce one or more action potentials from the one or more neurons in response to the ultrasound stimulus, the one or more action potentials corresponding to one or more of a pain or sensation response, a pain or sensation suppression, or neural control of organ function induced by the one or more neurons.