Abstract: A wearable ultrasound device and method of using the device includes a power controller with a power source and at least one integrated circuit that delivers electrical power to an applicator. The applicator is electrically coupled to the power controller and a surface of the applicator transmits ultrasound to a wearer for a given duration. The applicator includes radio frequency (RF) drive electronics, an ultrasound transducer coupled to the drive electronics, a monitoring apparatus that includes a thermal cutoff coupled to the drive electronics, where the monitoring apparatus monitors a temperature of the applicator surface and the thermal cutoff turns off the applicator, if the temperature exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and a coupling bandage coupled to the applicator, where the bandage positions the surface of the applicator proximate to a wearer at a location on the body of a wearer.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and a method of making this transducer, where the transducer includes at least two piezoelectric elements, oriented adjacent to each other in a stack. Each piezoelectric element includes a first surface which includes an electrode of a first polarity, a second surface which includes an electrode of a second polarity, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, and an ultrasound transmitting surface. This surface does not include an electrode. The transducer also includes a first electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a second electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to, inter alia, devices, methods, and systems for use in medical applications for humans and animals involving long duration ultrasound treatment. An ultrasound transducer array is provided that includes (i) a plurality of ultrasound transducers arranged in a matrix formation and operably coupled to an electrical network and (ii) a mesh structure securing the plurality of ultrasound transducers in the matrix formation, where each ultrasound transducer is connected to the electrical network in a manner sufficient to allow each ultrasound transducer to operate independent of one another or in unison. Ultrasound systems including the ultrasound transducer array and methods of using the ultrasound systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to, inter alia, an ultrasound coupling patch for use with ultrasound transducers, and more particularly to ultrasound coupling patches having a gel capture feature.

Abstract: A method for convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of compounds and an apparatus for use with the method are provided. The apparatus, an ultrasound transducer cannula assembly (TCA) apparatus, can be used for the delivery of a compound to a target in the body such as a cells, tissue or organ in a healthy or diseased state. The ultrasound TCA apparatus comprises a transducer cannula assembly (TCA) and an ultrasound system to enhance penetration of molecules in the target. The ultrasound system may be portable and pocket-sized. The inclusion of ultrasound in the apparatus improves the distribution volume of material four to six times over a convection-enhanced delivery system without ultrasound. Since the targeting can be more focused, less compound is needed, thus lowering the potential for harmful effects to the host and host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound coupling adapters, ultrasound coupling devices, ultrasound coupling systems, and methods of using the adapters, coupling devices, and coupling systems in various ultrasound applications. In one embodiment, the ultrasound coupling adapter is for coupling an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound coupling medium. The ultrasound coupling adapter comprises an interface support region for operably interfacing the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound coupling medium; and an integrated means for (i) rendering the ultrasound coupling adapter inoperable, and/or (ii) preventing operation of the ultrasound transducer by keeping it from being properly coupled with the ultrasound coupling adapter and/or ultrasound coupling medium.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a uterine probe having one or more transducer for detecting a uterine parameter. The one or more parameter can be a fetal heart rate. The one or more parameter can be uterine contraction. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a fetal heart rate (FHR). In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a uterine contraction. The one or more transducer can be of a common technology or can be of different technology. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include one or more transducer that is operative to be driven in different signaling configurations. A first signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of a fetal heart rate. A second signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of uterine contraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-profile ultrasound transducer. The low-profile ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric component operative to receive a driving signal from an energy generating module and to emit the driving signal as ultrasonic energy. The piezoelectric component has a front surface and a back surface, and the energy generating module includes a plurality of electronic components. The low-profile ultrasound transducer also includes a lens component directly or indirectly deposited on the front surface of the piezoelectric component. The lens component includes a lens portion and a support portion. The lens portion of the lens component is configured to control the direction and wave pattern of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the piezoelectric component. The support portion of the lens component is configured to hold the piezoelectric component in place and to provide a chamber for housing at least one electronic component of the energy generating module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound coupling device for use with various ultrasound transducers, systems, and applications. The coupling device includes a coupling compartment comprising a chamber having a continuous side wall and an opening on a first end. The continuous side wall is configured to hold a low-profile ultrasound transducer within the chamber so that a front ultrasound emitting surface of the low-profile ultrasound transducer faces outward toward the chamber opening. The front ultrasound emitting surface is configured to control the direction and wave pattern of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer. The continuous side wall is also configured to hold a quantity of an ultrasound conductive medium within the chamber and is operative to keep the ultrasound conductive medium in simultaneous contact with a surface of a subject and with at least a portion of the front ultrasound emitting surface of the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and a method of making this transducer, where the transducer includes at least two piezoelectric elements, oriented adjacent to each other in a stack. Each piezoelectric element includes a first surface which includes an electrode of a first polarity, a second surface which includes an electrode of a second polarity, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, and an ultrasound transmitting surface. This surface does not include an electrode. The transducer also includes a first electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a second electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity.

Abstract: A wearable ultrasound device and method of using the device includes a power controller with a power source and at least one integrated circuit that delivers electrical power to an applicator. The applicator is electrically coupled to the power controller and a surface of the applicator transmits ultrasound to a wearer for a given duration. The applicator includes radio frequency (RF) drive electronics, an ultrasound transducer coupled to the drive electronics, a monitoring apparatus that includes a thermal cutoff coupled to the drive electronics, where the monitoring apparatus monitors a temperature of the applicator surface and the thermal cutoff turns off the applicator, if the temperature exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and a coupling bandage coupled to the applicator, where the bandage positions the surface of the applicator proximate to a wearer at a location on the body of a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable ultrasound system that can be used for a wide range of ultrasound applications. The portable ultrasound system includes an energy generating module operative to generate a driving signal that can be transformed into ultrasonic energy, where the energy generating module includes a power source, an oscillator, and a driver component. The portable ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound transducer having a piezoelectric component and a lens component. The ultrasound transducer is operative to receive the driving signal from the energy generating module, to transform the driving signal into ultrasonic energy, and to control the direction of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the ultrasound transducer. Also disclosed are devices containing the portable therapeutic ultrasound system of the present invention, as well as methods of using the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound coupling adapters, ultrasound coupling devices, ultrasound coupling systems, and methods of using the coupling adapters, coupling devices, and coupling systems in various ultrasound applications. In one embodiment, the ultrasound coupling adapter is for coupling an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound coupling medium. The ultrasound coupling adapter comprises an interface support region for operably interfacing the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound coupling medium; and an integrated means for (i) rendering the ultrasound coupling adapter inoperable, and/or (ii) preventing operation of the ultrasound transducer when not properly coupled with the ultrasound coupling adapter and/or ultrasound coupling medium.