Abstract: A system comprises an ultrasound subsystem and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem. The ultrasound subsystem applies pulses of focused ultrasound having one or more parameters to an identified location in a subject that is to receive treatment. The parameters are determined in accordance with a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan. The MRI subsystem acquires functional image data corresponding to the identified location concurrently with the applied pulses of focused ultrasound. The MRI subsystem obtains a reconstructed series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data. The functional images are indicative of a first region within the identified location in which neuronal activity has been modified by the applied pulses. The system is configured to adjust one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively changing the permeability of a region of a subject that includes a desired tissue is provided. More specifically, low-power focused ultrasound (FUS) is employed to alter the permeability of the glomerulus so as to alter the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient. By employing FUS after administering a microbubble contrast agent to a subject, glomerular filtration is temporarily increased and the clearance of larger molecules, which are normally not filtered by the kidney, is allowed. This method offers new treatment opportunities for renal disease management.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: A method for modifying neuronal activity in a subject with focused ultrasound pulses (“FUP”) is provided. Such a methods is applicable for research, treatment, and diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological, and neuroendocrine disorders whose biological mechanisms include neuronal circuits in the brain. The application of focused ultrasound pulses is generally via multiple ultrasound transducers that are housed in a cap worn by the subject. The application of FUP at different tone burst duration, total sonication duration, and pulse repetition frequency settings results in either the inducement of either an increase or decrease in neuronal activity.

Abstract: System and method for non-invasive sonication, through at least one of enamel and dentin, of a root-canal system of a target tooth with an externally delivered ultrasound beam, to disinfect the root-canal system while blocking a nerve associated with the tooth and removing a need for radiography to confirm the results of endodontics. The tooth does not have a physical access opening to the root canal system. When focused, the beam is oriented to expose the root-canal system to the ultrasound within the confocal range of the beam such as to concentrate the ultrasound energy within the root-canal system and to avoid irradiating teeth that are immediately adjacent to the target tooth.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively changing the permeability of a region of a subject that includes a desired tissue is provided. More specifically, low-power focused ultrasound (FUS) is employed to alter the permeability of the glomerulus so as to alter the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient. By employing FUS after administering a microbubble contrast agent to a subject, glomerular filtration is temporarily increased and the clearance of larger molecules, which are normally not filtered by the kidney, is allowed. This method offers new treatment opportunities for renal disease management.

Abstract: A method for modifying neuronal activity in a subject with focused ultrasound pulses (“FUP”) is provided. Such a methods is applicable for research, treatment, and diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological, and neuroendocrine disorders whose biological mechanisms include neuronal circuits in the brain. The application of focused ultrasound pulses is generally via multiple ultrasound transducers that are housed in a cap worn by the subject. The application of FUP at different tone burst duration, total sonication duration, and pulse repetition frequency settings results in either the inducement of either an increase or decrease in neuronal activity.

Abstract: A method and system for opening a blood-brain barrier are described. Ultrasonic radiation having a frequency below 500 kHz is directed through a skull to a target region and the frequency is adjusted such that wavefronts of the ultrasonic radiation remain essentially unchanged while passing through the skull.

Abstract: A method and system for opening a blood-brain barrier are described. Ultrasonic radiation having a frequency below 500 kHz is directed through a skull to a target region and the frequency is adjusted such that wavefronts of the ultrasonic radiation remain essentially unchanged while passing through the skull.