Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging system and method for monitoring tissue temperature within a region of interest, which has an object of interest and a reference that are separated by at least one boundary. The system and method include a thermoacoustic imaging system with an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest and heat tissue therein, an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest, and one or more processors that process at least one received bipolar acoustic signal generated in the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof and calculate a temperature at the at least one boundary using the peak-to-peak amplitude of the at least one bipolar acoustic signal.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing RF energy delivery to a tissue ROI with a thermoacoustic system includes directing with a RF applicator, RF energy pulses into the tissue ROI having an object of interest and a reference separated by a boundary; detecting with a thermoacoustic transducer, a multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the multi-polar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; detecting with the thermoacoustic transducer, an artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a location other than the boundary and processing it to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; utilizing an electromagnetic model coupled with a model of patient anatomy to place dielectric or conducting materials near the thermoacoustic transducer or the RF applicator to optimize a signal-to-noise ratio of the multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary or minimize the artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a

Abstract: A system for thermal ablation of tissue and temperature monitoring of said tissue is disclosed. They system includes an insertion device configured to be inserted into said tissue, a radio-frequency source configured to transmit radio-frequency energy into said tissue via the insertion device, a pulse generator configured to pulse the radio-frequency source at a pre-determined pulse rate and generate a thermoacoustic signal in said tissue, a thermoacoustic transducer configured to receive the thermoacoustic signal, and a processor configured to utilize the thermoacoustic signal to calculate a temperature of said tissue.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. The method and system include a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are able to process bipolar acoustic signals received by the acoustic receiver in response to RF energy pulses emitted into the region of interest using the RF applicator to determine a setting for the RF applicator that yields bipolar acoustic signals with at least one enhanced metric thereof, determine an impedance of the RF applicator used to yield acoustic bipolar signals with the enhanced at least one metric, and estimate fractional fat content of the object of interest using the determined impedance.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic system and method of use to receive an ultrasound system output from an ultrasound system, via an existing communication port on the ultrasound system. The thermoacoustic system includes a radio-frequency emitter, at least one thermoacoustic transducer, a processor, and a display that is integrated with the processor and configured to display an image that is a function of the ultrasound system output and data from the at least one thermoacoustic transducer. The thermoacoustic system is configured to perform an action, as a result of receiving the ultrasound system output.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic probe with an electromagnetic (EM) energy applicator, a thermoacoustic transducer, and a housing containing the applicator and thermoacoustic transducer and enabling an EM exit window and a transducer front face to be held flush with respect to each other. A first acoustic absorbing material is placed between the EM applicator and the transducer, between the EM applicator and the housing, and between the transducer and the housing as spacers; and a second acoustic absorbing material is injected between the EM applicator and the transducer, between the EM applicator and the housing, and between the transducer and the housing in the spaced gaps, wherein the first acoustic absorbing material and the second acoustic absorbing material are combined to form a sleeve covering the applicator sides and the transducer sides. The acoustic absorbing materials mitigate sound artifacts and noise resulting in cleaner signal data.

Abstract: A method and system optimize a thermoacoustic transducer functionality that is utilized in a thermoacoustic imaging system. The method and system select a pre-determined transducer geometry for the thermoacoustic imaging system, utilize the thermoacoustic imaging system with the pre-determined transducer geometry to generate at least one impulse in a field of view, acquire data from the impulse, reconstructing the data to generate N-dimensional impulse responses based upon respective channel responses, respective view responses, and a function of the acquired data, utilize the N-dimensional transforms for each image to generate a value for the pre-determined transducer functionality, and utilize the value for the pre-determined transducer functionality to determine an optimum thermoacoustic transducer functionality.

Abstract: Combined transducer arrays for imaging features of tissue include a transducer array configured for transmit-receive ultrasound imaging, and a transducer array configured for receive-only thermoacoustic imaging. The transmit-receive transducer array includes a plurality of transmit-receive array elements, and the receive-only transducer array includes a plurality of receive-only array elements. The receive-only array elements are registered with and surround the transmit-receive array elements. The receive-only transducer array and transmit-receive transducer array may be housed in an ultrasound probe. The combined transducer arrays may be used in composite imaging of tissue, based on the registration of the transmit-receive array elements and the receive-only array elements.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer with at least one piezoelectric element configured to convert received acoustic signals into an electric potential, a shield connectable to ground and overlying the at least one piezoelectric element through which the acoustic signals pass before being received by the at least one piezoelectric element, the shield having acoustic conductivity and electrical attenuation characteristics that enable the acoustic signals to propagate therethrough while reducing a 100 volt per centimeter electric field to below a threshold level so that the piezoelectric element is exposed to a threshold electrical potential at least less than or equal to 10 ?V, and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element and shield.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a radio frequency (RF) applicator which includes covering a ceramic insert with a coating, wherein the ceramic insert has dimensions that substantially match an internal volume of an open-ended, hollow waveguide, and wherein the ceramic insert has a recess therein configured to accept a radio frequency emitter, heating the waveguide to a temperature that is above a melting point of the coating, placing the coated ceramic insert into the internal volume of the heated waveguide, wherein the internal volume is completely filled except for the recess, and cooling the waveguide, ceramic insert, and coating to a temperature below the melting point of the coating so that the coating solidifies and fills gaps between facing surfaces of the insert and the waveguide.

Abstract: A method and system optimize a thermoacoustic transducer functionality that is utilized in a thermoacoustic imaging system. The method and system select a pre-determined transducer geometry for the thermoacoustic imaging system, utilize the thermoacoustic imaging system with the pre-determined transducer geometry to generate at least one impulse in a field of view, acquire data from the impulse, reconstructing the data to generate N-dimensional impulse responses based upon respective channel responses, respective view responses, and a function of the acquired data, utilize the N-dimensional transforms for each image to generate a value for the pre-determined transducer functionality, and utilize the value for the pre-determined transducer functionality to determine an optimum thermoacoustic transducer functionality.

Abstract: A system utilizing thermoacoustic imaging to estimate tissue temperature within a region of interest that includes an object of interest and a reference which are separated by at least one boundary located at least at two boundary locations. The system uses a thermoacoustic imaging system that includes an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive multi-polar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors that are able to: process received multi-polar acoustic generated in the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof; and calculate a temperature at the at least two boundary locations using the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the multi-polar acoustic signals and a distance between the boundary locations.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging system and method for monitoring tissue temperature within a region of interest, which has an object of interest and a reference that are separated by at least one boundary. The system and method include a thermoacoustic imaging system with an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest and heat tissue therein, an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest, and one or more processors that process at least one received bipolar acoustic signal generated in the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof and calculate a temperature at the at least one boundary using the peak-to-peak amplitude of the at least one bipolar acoustic signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. The method and system include a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are able to process bipolar acoustic signals received by the acoustic receiver in response to RF energy pulses emitted into the region of interest using the RF applicator to determine a setting for the RF applicator that yields bipolar acoustic signals with at least one enhanced metric thereof, determine an impedance of the RF applicator used to yield acoustic bipolar signals with the enhanced at least one metric, and estimate fractional fat content of the object of interest using the determined impedance.

Abstract: A method and system for reconstructing a thermoacoustic image that utilizes the steps of directing radio frequency (RF) energy pulses generated by an RF source into a tissue region of interest; detecting, at each of a plurality of views along a scanning trajectory of a transducer element array about the region of interest, acoustic signals generated within the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and generating thermoacoustic data; applying at least one correction kernel to the thermoacoustic data; and after the at least one correction kernel has been applied to the thermoacoustic data, reconstructing a thermoacoustic image therefrom.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing radio frequency energy delivery to a tissue region of interest. The method and system direct with a radio frequency (RF) applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest, the tissue region of interest comprising an object of interest and at least one reference that are separated by at least one boundary; detect with an acoustic receiver, at least one bipolar acoustic signal generated in the tissue region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the at least one bipolar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof; adjust the RF applicator to maximize the peak-to-peak amplitude of bipolar acoustic signals generated in the tissue region of interest in response to RF energy pulses generated by the adjusted RF applicator; and direct with the adjusted RF applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the region of interest.