Abstract: A sonicator assembly, including: a microplate defining a plurality of wells; a manifold for containing a transducer fluid that is thermally coupled to the plurality of wells of the microplate; an ultrasonic generator operable for applying an ultrasonic excitation to the wells of the microplate; one or more of a heating module thermally coupled to and operable for selectively heating the transducer fluid and a cooling module thermally coupled to and operable for selectively cooling the transducer fluid; and a controller operable for controlling operation of the ultrasonic generator and the one or more of the heating module and the cooling module. The controller is further operable for monitoring a temperature and a pressure within the manifold. A temperature of the plurality of wells is controllable over a temperature range from 4° C. to 95° C. Optionally, the plurality of wells include a plurality of heat-resistant round-bottom hydrophilic wells.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include illustrative devices for hand-indirect handling of analytical and culture vessels and illustrative methods for hand-indirect handling of analytical and culture vessels. A plate handling device includes a base having a first and second base member configured to hold a plate, wherein the base is adapted to expand and contract to secure the plate to the plate handling device. A handle having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the handle is adapted to actuate the expanding and contracting of the base to secure and hold the plate. An outer handle member fixedly attached to the first base member. A user interface member fixedly attached to the second base member, wherein the user interface member is pivotably attached to the lower end of the handle and pivotably receivable in portions of the outer handle member.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to filtering systems and methods for suppression of reverberation artifacts in ultrasound images. In some embodiments, a method of obtaining a filtered ultrasound image includes taking a first ultrasound image of a target tissue using an applicator. At least a portion of the applicator is moved such that the reverberation artifact ultrasound path length changes relative to the first position of the applicator. A second ultrasound image of the target tissue is then taken. The first and second ultrasound images are synthesized using at least one filtering method. The filtering method attenuates or removes reverberation artifacts in the synthesized ultrasound image.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting or selecting the treatment parameters for HIFU signals to treat a target treatment site, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits one or more test signals into patient tissue and receives signals created in response to the test signals. The signals are analyzed to determine a response curve of how a characteristic of the signal varies with the one or more test signals. The response curve of the detected signals is used to select a treatment parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting or selecting the treatment parameters for HIFU signals to treat a target treatment site, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits one or more test signals into patient tissue and receives signals created in response to the test signals. The signals are analyzed to determine a response curve of how a characteristic of the signal varies with the one or more test signals. The response curve of the detected signals is used to select a treatment parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality includes ablating a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In at least one embodiment, the elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ. The elemental treatment volumes are created by distributing HIFU energy in multiple doses with repeated passes of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer in a trajectory over or along a perimeter of each elemental treatment volume.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality includes ablating a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In at least one embodiment, the elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ. The elemental treatment volumes are created by distributing HIFU energy in multiple doses with repeated passes of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer in a trajectory over or along a perimeter of each elemental treatment volume.

Abstract: An applicator for providing HIFU therapy to a patient includes a HIFU transducer that is rotatably coupled to a frame. In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling is configured such that the HIFU transducer can be mechanically oriented to position a focal zone of the HIFU transducer at any desired location in a treatment volume radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the applicator while the HIFU transducer remains within a housing that is not more than a defined percentage (e.g., 50%) larger than the maximum diameter of the HIFU transducer. In one embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with a ball and socket joint. In another embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with an offset gimble assembly. A pair of linear actuators and drive shafts engage the HIFU transducer to orient HIFU transducer in a desired direction.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes modular energy storage equipment that may be connected to an external system, such as a power grid. In at least one embodiment, the energy storage system includes a power transfer control system comprising a power transfer network and a processing module or controller. The power transfer network has a first interface coupleable to one or more energy storage units and a second interface coupleable to one or more power conversion units. One or more conductors in the power transfer network are selectively coupleable to the first interface and the second interface for transferring power between the energy storage units and the power conversion units based at least in part on information indicating a power or energy supply or demand of an external system or information indicating an amount of energy stored in the energy storage units. The energy storage system is scalable for different implementations.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting or selecting the treatment parameters for HIFU signals to treat a target treatment site, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits one or more test signals into patient tissue and receives signals created in response to the test signals. The signals are analyzed to determine a response curve of how a characteristic of the signal varies with the one or more test signals. The response curve of the detected signals is used to select a treatment parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting or selecting the treatment parameters for HIFU signals to treat a target treatment site, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits one or more test signals into patient tissue and receives signals created in response to the test signals. The signals are analyzed to determine a response curve of how a characteristic of the signal varies with the one or more test signals. The response curve of the detected signals is used to select a treatment parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality includes ablating a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In at least one embodiment, the elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ. The elemental treatment volumes are created by distributing HIFU energy in multiple doses with repeated passes of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer in a trajectory over or along a perimeter of each elemental treatment volume.

Abstract: A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting a HIFU device compensates for shifts in transducer impedance so that the acoustic output from a HIFU transducer remains at a desired level. In accordance with a first aspect, the disclosure includes dynamically adjusting the tuning of a tuning network that causes the transducer/system to maintain an optimal power transfer to the acoustic output. In accordance with a second aspect, the disclosure monitors the acoustic output of the HIFU device and adjusts the electrical signal provided to the HIFU transducer to maintain a desired acoustic output.

Abstract: A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to filtering systems and methods for suppression of reverberation artifacts in ultrasound images. In some embodiments, a method of obtaining a filtered ultrasound image includes taking a first ultrasound image of a target tissue using an applicator. At least a portion of the applicator is moved such that the reverberation artifact ultrasound path length changes relative to the first position of the applicator. A second ultrasound image of the target tissue is then taken. The first and second ultrasound images are synthesized using at least one filtering method. The filtering method attenuates or removes reverberation artifacts in the synthesized ultrasound image.

Abstract: HIFU therapy to a desired tissue site is controlled based on detected changes in one or more characteristics of a received backscatter signal resulting from exposure of the tissue to HIFU or other interrogation signals. In one embodiment, the bloom of backscatter signals outward from a treatment region (e.g., towards the HIFU transducer) is detected and monitored. Once the bloom reaches a predetermined location, treatment is stopped. Other signal characteristics such as angular distribution of frequency components in the backscatter signal, changes in reflection, power required to saturate a tissue characteristic, changes in attenuation and changes in a cumulative energy distribution function of the backscatter signal that change as a result of the application of HIFU power are also used to control the delivery of HIFU signals in accordance with other embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting the energy of HIFU signals delivered to a patient, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits a HIFU signal into a patient and receives echoes therefrom. The echo signals are analyzed to determine the energy of the signals in a first range, such as at one or more harmonics and/or sub-harmonics of the fundamental frequency of the HIFU signal, and energy of the echo signals in a second range such as at the fundamental frequency of the HIFU signal. Based on the comparison, the energy and/or focus of the HIFU signals delivered to the patient is adjusted. An image of the compared echo signal powers in two or more frequency ranges may also be displayed for a user or used to adjust the focus point of the HIFU signals.

Abstract: An applicator for providing HIFU therapy to a patient includes a HIFU transducer that is rotatably coupled to a frame. In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling is configured such that the HIFU transducer can be mechanically oriented to position a focal zone of the HIFU transducer at any desired location in a treatment volume radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the applicator while the HIFU transducer remains within a housing that is not more than a defined percentage (e.g., 50%) larger than the maximum diameter of the HIFU transducer. In one embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with a ball and socket joint. In another embodiment, the HIFU transducer is rotatably coupled to the frame with an offset gimble assembly. A pair of linear actuators and drive shafts engage the HIFU transducer to orient HIFU transducer in a desired direction.

Abstract: A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms.