Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing microbubbles for contrast-enhanced imaging are described herein. Microbubbles may be visualized by multi-pixel spots by identifying and localizing individual microbubbles. Motion compensation may be provided for localized microbubbles or for contrast images prior to microbubble identification and localization. Users may determine the size of the multi-pixel spot by adjusting a filter, for example, adjusting a threshold value of the filter. Altering the size of the multi-pixel spot may alter the resolution. As the number of pixels increases, the resolution decreases, but the acquisition time may also decrease. As the number of pixels decreases, the resolution increases, but the acquisition time may increase.

Abstract: An ultrasound system performs cranial therapy using a headset mounted to the head of a subject which contains a therapy transducer and a motion detecting transducer. At the outset of therapy, echo signals are acquired by the motion detecting transducer and stored. Thereafter, echo signals are acquired again by the motion detecting transducer and compared or correlated with the signals stored at the outset of therapy. When a difference is determined between the compared or correlated signals, an alert is issued by the system that transducer motion or acoustic decoupling may have occurred.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a therapeutic ultrasound system configured to adaptively transmit ultrasound pulses toward microbubbles in a treatment region to remove an occlusion. In some examples, the system may include a treatment pulse unit configured to transmit an ultrasound pulse to a treatment region of a subject, the treatment region including a plurality of microbubbles. An echo detection unit may be configured to receive one or more echoes responsive to the ultra sound pulse. In some examples, the system may also include a data processor configured to identify, using data associated with the echoes, at least one echo signature indicative of a dynamic state of the microbubbles in response to the ultrasound pulse. A controller may be configured to adjust one or more parameters of an additional ultrasound pulse transmitted to the treatment region via the treatment pulse unit based on the at least one echo signature.

Abstract: An ultrasound system utilizes an array transducer to perform sonothrombolysis treatment. The system also produces a vascular map of flow characteristics in the vicinity of the therapy site in a subject. The vascular map is used to formulate a treatment plan which includes the number, focusing, timing, and steering of beams of a pattern of therapy beams transmitted during a transmission interval. Formulation of the treatment plan considers factors such as the direction of microbubble flow toward a therapy site, the flow velocity, the spacing between successive therapy beam transmissions, the number of therapy beams needed to “paint” a therapy region, and grating lobe locations, many of which can be determined from the vascular map.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound system transmits a staggered or interleaved pattern of therapy beams for use in sonothrombolysis and other Vascular Acoustic Resonators (VAR) mediated therapy. The inventive technique minimizes VAR, e.g. microbubble, destruction due to adjacent beams, ensures uniform sonication of the targeted region by filling in the spaces between the beams in subsequent passes, and further provides a means for bubble replenishment to maximize the clot lysis from ultrasound. The technique is also applicable to diagnostic ultrasound, VAR mediated drug delivery and blood brain barrier opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound irradiation of a body part (208) includes a first ultrasound transducer (216), and a second ultrasound transducer (212) mounted oppositely, and is configured: a) such that at least two ultrasound receiving elements, for determining a relative orientation of the first to the second transducer, are attached to the first transducer; b) for a beam, from the first transducer, causing cavitation, and/or bubble destruction of systemically circulating microbubbles, within the body part; or c) both with the attached elements and for the causing. The apparatus registers, with said first transducer, the second transducer, by using as a reference respectively the features a) and/or b).

Abstract: A head frame is configured for the head of a medical patient (108) and includes support for a probe and a neck support. The frame wraps around said head, and can be used in the supine position. The support may include a probe holder (116) slidable under the head and to contact or engage the neck support. In some embodiments, conformal shaping to the head and/or neck, the frame's rigid construction, the alignment of the optionally separable holder to the neck support (110), and weight of the head all serve to keep the distal tip of the ultrasound probe in place against the temporal region of the head, without need for attaching the frame to the head as by straps, providing an arrangement robust against patient/vehicle movement in an emergency medical services setting. Head immobilizing walls may be folded away (316) in some versions, retaining probe alignment.