Abstract: A dual frequency transducer array includes one or more low frequency transducer arrays and a high frequency transducer array. Unfocused ultrasound such as plane waves are transmitted by the one or more low frequency transducer arrays in a number of different directions into an imaging region of the high frequency transducer array. High frequency echo signals produced by excited contrast agent in the imaging region are received by the high frequency transducer array to produce a contrast agent image. In another embodiment, the high frequency transducer produces unfocused ultrasound to excite the contrast agent in the imaging region and the low frequency transducer(s) receives low frequency echo signals from the excited contrast agent. A tissue image is created from echo signals received by the high or low frequency transducer. Echo data from the tissue image and the contrast agent image are combined to produce a combined tissue/contrast agent image.

Abstract: A dual frequency transducer array includes one or more low frequency transducer arrays and a high frequency transducer array. Unfocused ultrasound such as plane waves are transmitted by the one or more low frequency transducer arrays in a number of different directions into an imaging region of the high frequency transducer array. High frequency echo signals produced by excited contrast agent in the imaging region are received by the high frequency transducer array to produce a contrast agent image. In another embodiment, the high frequency transducer produces unfocused ultrasound to excite the contrast agent in the imaging region and the low frequency transducer(s) receives low frequency echo signals from the excited contrast agent. A tissue image is created from echo signals received by the high or low frequency transducer. Echo data from the tissue image and the contrast agent image are combined to produce a combined tissue/contrast agent image.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing transducers with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of first, second and third troughs are formed in a transducer substrate in first, second and third directions, respectively, to form an array of pillars. In one embodiment, the first direction is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, and the third direction is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The resulting array of pillars can be configured to suppress lateral modes of a high frequency ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).

Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A photoacoustic device capable of performing both intravascular photoacoustic (“IVPA”) imaging and intravascular ultrasound imaging is provided. The device includes one or more optical fibers coupled to a transducer assembly that includes an photoacoustic transducer and optionally an ultrasound transducer. The one or more optical fibers and photoacoustic transducer are arranged such that the illumination field generated by the one or more optical fibers is co-aligned with the sensitive region of the photoacoustic transducer. When both are present, the photoacoustic transducer and ultrasound transducer are arranged such that ultrasound generated by the ultrasound transducer avoids interfering with the sensitive region of the photoacoustic transducer. Frequency domain imaging may be achieved using an intensity-modulated continuous wave (“CW”) laser coupled to the one or more optical fibers.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a microbubble contrast agent, wherein at least 20% by volume of the microbubbles in the contrast agent has a size of less than 1 micron, wherein the contrast agent produces non-linear scattering when contacted by ultrasound at a frequency above 20 MHz. Provided herein are compositions comprising a microbubble contrast agent, wherein at least 10% by volume of the microbubbles in the contrast agent has a size of less than 500 nanometers, wherein the contrast agent produces non-linear scattering when contacted by ultrasound at a frequency above 20 MHz. Provided herein are compositions comprising a microbubble contrast agent, wherein at least 5% by volume of the microbubbles in the contrast agent has a size of less than 200 nanometers, wherein the contrast agent produces non-linear scattering when contacted by ultrasound at a frequency above 20 MHz. The disclosed contrast agents can be targeted contrast agents.

Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A system for acquiring an ultrasound signal comprises a signal processing unit adapted for acquiring a received ultrasound signal from an ultrasound transducer having a plurality of elements. The system is adapted to receive ultrasound signals having a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz) with a transducer having a field of view of at least 5.0 millimeters (mm) at a frame rate of at least 20 frames per second (fps). The signal processing can further produce an ultrasound image from the acquired ultrasound signal. The transducer can be a linear array transducer, a phased array transducer, a two-dimensional (2-D) array transducer, or a curved array transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises a stack having a first face, an opposed second face and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stack comprises a plurality of layers, each layer having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, wherein the plurality of layers of the stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is connected to the piezoelectric layer and defines an opening extending a second predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the stack. A plurality of first kerf slots are defined therein the stack, each first kerf slot extending a predetermined depth therein the stack and a first predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A system for acquiring an ultrasound signal comprises a signal processing unit adapted for acquiring a received ultrasound signal from an ultrasound transducer having a plurality of elements. The system is adapted to receive ultrasound signals having a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz) with a transducer having a field of view of at least 5.0 millimeters (mm) at a frame rate of at least 20 frames per second (fps). The signal processing can further produce an ultrasound image from the acquired ultrasound signal. The transducer can be a linear array transducer, a phased array transducer, a two-dimensional (2-D) array transducer, or a curved array transducer.