Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include active marker devices, retrofits, systems, and methods for determining the position of interventional devices under MRI. A marker device is provided that utilizes an optical fiber, an acousto-optical sensor region that includes an electro-mechanical conversion assembly, and one or more antenna(e) The one or more antennae are configured to receive MRI radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy and produce a corresponding electrical signal corresponding to the position. The acousto-optical sensor region may include a resonator and may be modulated by acoustic waves generated responsive to the electrical signal received from the one or more antennae The acousto-optical sensor region may be interrogated by light via the optical fiber to determine the position of the device for providing an active marker in the MRI image.

Abstract: A resonator-based comb generation system configured for stable frequency comb generation in a media environment across a range of media environment densities. A system configured for frequency comb generation in a media environment across a range of media environment densities can include a resonant mechanical assembly and a resonant electrical assembly, wherein the assemblies are non-linearly coupled. A microelectromechanical (MEM) resonator can be parametrically coupled to a resonant electrical circuit to serve as an electromechanical comb generation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving broad bandwidth performance of CMUT elements and arrays using negative capacitance-based impedance matching. The disclosed systems and methods provide a controllable compromise balance between electrical power transfer, acoustic reflectivity, and signal-to-noise ratio. Certain implementations utilize active control of impedance network parameters based on a DC bias input to the CMUT. Instead of minimizing electrical reflection, acoustic reflectivity is controlled to provide improved SNR-bandwidth. Negative capacitance-based matching is tunable to accommodate collapsed mode CMUTs where capacitance and frequency response changes significantly with DC bias.

Abstract: Multifunctional ultrasound systems and methods for body section registration and mapping of microbubble dynamics. A system is provided that includes one or more micromachined ultrasonic transducer arrays (MUTAs) configured to capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of a body section using ultrasound and monitor microbubble activity during ultrasound treatment. The system includes an image registration module configured to spatially register the high-resolution image with a reference image. The system includes electronics configured to control one or more of drive signal amplitude, frequency filtering, multiplexing, and DC bias voltage. The system can be configured to control ultrasound treatment based on the monitoring of the microbubble activity during treatment.

Abstract: A parametric resonator can be driven by varying a parameter of a modulated capacitor or other externally powered type device to achieve transduction. Conventionally, externally powered type devices generally require an external power source or a static charge to achieve transduction. By pumping the parameter of the device at a frequency that is about twice the resonance frequency, and an amplitude that is above a threshold, however parametric resonance can be generated and sustained without requiring an external power source or charge to be applied to the device.

Abstract: In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, methods for mitigating particle retention are provided including the use of frequency sweep excitation to eject particle in the sweep. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be capable of being switched between multiple modes of operation. In other embodiments according to the present disclosure, the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be altered such that it includes the capability to be filled with a biocompatible material to aid in the mitigation of particle aggregation in the acoustically driven fluid ejector. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the solid structure and number of nozzles of the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be adjusted such that the ejector of the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be self-pumping, i.e. no external pumping mechanism other than acoustics driven flow drag is used.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for measuring local E-fields, B-fields, and/or temperature effects of an MRI scan utilizing an acousto-optical sensor. A method includes positioning the acousto-optical sensor at a location of a body or phantom; receiving, with an antenna of the acousto-optical sensor, MRI RF energy localized at the first location; interrogating, with a light source, and via an optical fiber, an acousto-optical sensor region of the acousto-optical sensor; detecting, with a photodetector, interrogation light reflected from the acousto-optical sensor region; and outputting one or more signals corresponding to the detected interrogation light reflected from the acousto-optical sensor region. The one or more signals can correspond to an E-field, a B-field, and/or a temperature of the received MRI RF energy at the first location. Additional methods can include mapping results of multiple measurements around an implant.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include active marker devices, retrofits, systems, and methods for determining the position of interventional devices under MRI. A marker device is provided that utilizes an optical fiber, an acousto-optical sensor region that includes an electro-mechanical conversion assembly, and one or more antenna(e). The one or more antennae are configured to receive MRI radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy and produce a corresponding electrical signal corresponding to the position. The acousto-optical sensor region may include a resonator and may be modulated by acoustic waves generated responsive to the electrical signal received from the one or more antennae. The acousto-optical sensor region may be interrogated by light via the optical fiber to determine the position of the device for providing an active marker in the MRI image.

Abstract: An intracardiac imaging system has an MRI compatible intracardiac echography catheter having transmitters, receivers, a multiplexer, and a beamformer. The catheter can include an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal end of the catheter, a pair of inductively coupled coils proximal the atraumatic tip, at least one CMUT-on-CMOS volumetric imaging chip disposed between the pair of coils, and a cable lumen disposed within the volume sized to house a small number of electrical connections due to significant multiplexing in the CMUT-on-CMOS chip. The catheter can be made of MRI compatible materials and can include active cooling channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods of high throughput separation. A device comprises a reservoir for receiving a fluid in a flow direction and a transducer for generating a pressure field that is not perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid through the reservoir. A method comprises receiving a fluid in a flow direction into a reservoir comprising an array of openings on at least one side of the channel or reservoir, generating a pressure field that is not perpendicular to the flow of the fluid through the reservoir, wherein at least one node and at least one antinode of the pressure field are within the reservoir, and separating the plurality of objects within the fluid, wherein at least a first object is retained within the reservoir and at least a second object is passed from the reservoir through the array of openings.

Abstract: An intracardiac imaging system has an MRI compatible intracardiac echography catheter having transmitters, receivers, a multiplexer, and a beamformer. The catheter can include an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal end of the catheter, a pair of inductively coupled coils proximal the atraumatic tip, at least one CMUT-on-CMOS volumetric imaging chip disposed between the pair of coils, and a cable lumen disposed within the volume sized to house a small number of electrical connections due to significant multiplexing in the CMUT-on-CMOS chip. The catheter can be made of MRI compatible materials and can include active cooling channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods of high throughput separation. A device comprises a reservoir for receiving a fluid in a flow direction and a transducer for generating a pressure field that is not perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid through the reservoir. A method comprises receiving a fluid in a flow direction into a reservoir comprising an array of openings on at least one side of the channel or reservoir, generating a pressure field that is not perpendicular to the flow of the fluid through the reservoir, wherein at least one node and at least one antinode of the pressure field are within the reservoir, and separating the plurality of objects within the fluid, wherein at least a first object is retained within the reservoir and at least a second object is passed from the reservoir through the array of openings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multistage procedure for treatment of biological samples (e.g., living cells with membranes, and the like) with a substance (e.g., a drug, DNA, RNA, plasmids, and other biomolecules or materials) to achieve more efficacious intracellular delivery and transfection.

Abstract: A parametric resonator can be driven by varying a parameter of a modulated capacitor or other externally powered type device to achieve transduction. Conventionally, externally powered type devices generally require an external power source or a static charge to achieve transduction. By pumping the parameter of the device at a frequency that is about twice the resonance frequency, and an amplitude that is above a threshold, however parametric resonance can be generated and sustained without requiring an external power source or charge to be applied to the device.

Abstract: An intracardiac imaging system has an intracardiac echography catheter with an internal volume, a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter includes an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal end of the catheter, a pair of inductively coupled coils proximal the atraumatic tip, at least one CMUT on CMOS volumetric imaging chip disposed between the pair of coils, and a cable lumen disposed within the volume and configured to small number of electrical connections due to significant multiplexing in the CMUT on CMOS chip. The catheter can be made of MRI compatible materials and can include active cooling channels. The CMUT on CMOS chip has a plurality of Tx elements transmitting imaging pulses, a plurality of Rx elements, disposed on the chip to have a large aperture and a plurality of electronics interfacing with the Tx elements for beamforming and the Rx elements to produce radio frequency output signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multistage procedure for treatment of biological samples (e.g., living cells with membranes, and the like) with a substance (e.g., a drug, DNA, RNA, plasmids, and other biomolecules or materials) to achieve more efficacious intracellular delivery and transfection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multistage procedure for treatment of biological samples (e.g., living cells with membranes, and the like) with a substance (e.g., a drug, DNA, RNA, plasmids, and other biomolecules or materials) to achieve more efficacious intracellular delivery and transfection.

Abstract: An active catheter design incorporating a distal loop coil that is electrically connected to an ultrasonic transducer having a comparable profile. The ultrasonic transducer induces ultrasonic waves at the Larmor frequency at the distal end of a dielectric optical fiber that runs along the active catheter shaft. The optical fiber serves as the transmission line instead of a convention conductor, eliminating the RF induced heating. The dynamic strain generated by the ultrasonic transducer can be measured using optical interferometry by coupling a laser at the proximal end of the optical fiber using the acousto-optical effect. A fiber embedded Bragg reflector grating, for example, can be used for this purpose. The device can also be used for simultaneous temperature measurements among other parameters.

Abstract: An intracardiac imaging system has an intracardiac echography catheter with an internal volume, a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter includes an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal end of the catheter, a pair of inductively coupled coils proximal the atraumatic tip, at least one CMUT on CMOS volumetric imaging chip disposed between the pair of coils, and a cable lumen disposed within the volume and configured to small number of electrical connections due to significant multiplexing in the CMUT on CMOS chip. The catheter can be made of MRI compatible materials and can include active cooling channels. The CMUT on CMOS chip has a plurality of Tx elements transmitting imaging pulses, a plurality of Rx elements, disposed on the chip to have a large aperture and a plurality of electronics interfacing with the Tx elements for beamforming and the Rx elements to produce radio frequency output signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multistage procedure for treatment of biological samples (e.g., living cells with membranes, and the like) with a substance (e.g., a drug, DNA, RNA, plasmids, and other biomolecules or materials) to achieve more efficacious intracellular delivery and transfection.