Abstract: A treatment device includes a unit having an ultrasound imaging element and an ablation electrode, mechanism for receiving signals from the imaging element, the signals representing plural frames of ultrasound data; and mechanism for processing the signals to provide, in use, at least one of ultrasound data and data indicating mechanical strains within tissue being monitored by the sensor element, the strains being generated by movement of the tissue or the body being treated, the movement being generated naturally by the tissue or by the device operator's motion, or both.

Abstract: A treatment device includes a unit having an ultrasound imaging element and an ablation electrode, mechanism for receiving signals from the imaging element, the signals representing plural frames of ultrasound data; and mechanism for processing the signals to provide, in use, at least one of ultrasound data and data indicating mechanical strains within tissue being monitored by the sensor element, the strains being generated by movement of the tissue or the body being treated, the movement being generated naturally by the tissue or by the device operator's motion, or both.

Abstract: A method of producing droplets from a nozzle provided on a material layer, the method comprising the steps of supplying liquid to an inner end of an array of nozzles, the nozzles being split into M groups of one or more nozzles, generating one or more firing signals, each firing signal causing sufficient movement of a group of nozzles relative to the liquid such that liquid is projected as droplets from the outer face of the respective nozzles, generating one or more sub-firing signals associated with each group of nozzles, the one or more sub-firing signals causing movement of the group of nozzles which is insufficient to project liquid from the nozzles, the sub-firing signals of adjacent groups having a non-zero phase relationship, wherein the sub-firing signal(s) of at least one group of nozzles is independent of the firing signal(s) associated with that group.

Abstract: A dual-frequency ultrasound transducer, comprising a piezo-electric element bonded to a substrate, has two resonant vibration modes: a low frequency mechanical bending resonance mode and a relatively high frequency thickness resonance mode. The low frequency bending resonance mode occurs when the piezo-electric element is excited, in use, by a voltage which includes a low frequency oscillating component. The high frequency thickness resonance mode occurs when the piezo-electric element is excited, in use, by a voltage which includes a relatively high frequency oscillating component. The transducer may include a mounting arrangement, such as a support ring securing the periphery of the substrate to an underlying base layer that enhances the depth of penetration and focus of the ultrasound.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer patch (100) comprises an array of ultrasound transducers (20) mounted to a flexi-PCB (10) containing multiple tracks (12). Each transducer (20), or a sub-group of the transducers is electrically connected to first and second of the multiple tracks. The flexi-PCB (10) is configured, such as by virtue of cut-out portions (114, 414) or by inherent elasticity, to be bendable a out non-parallel axes. The enables the patch (100) to readily conform to a complex 3D surface such as a portion of a patient's face to ensure efficient transmission of ultrasound energy to a desired area of treatment.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer patch (100) comprises an array of ultrasound transducers (20) mounted to a flexi-PCB (10) containing multiple tracks (12). Each transducer (20), or a sub-group of the transducers is electrically connected to first and second of the multiple tracks. The flexi-PCB (10) is configured, such as by virtue of cut-out portions (114, 414) or by inherent elasticity, to be bendable a out non-parallel axes. The enables the patch (100) to readily conform to a complex 3D surface such as a portion of a patient's face to ensure efficient transmission of ultrasound energy to a desired area of treatment.

Abstract: A dual-frequency ultrasound transducer, comprising a piezo-electric element bonded to a substrate, has two resonant vibration modes: a low frequency mechanical bending resonance mode and a relatively high frequency thickness resonance mode. The low frequency bending resonance mode occurs when the piezo-electric element is excited, in use, by a voltage which includes a low frequency oscillating component. The high frequency thickness resonance mode occurs when the piezo-electric element is excited, in use, by a voltage which includes a relatively high frequency oscillating component. The transducer may include a mounting arrangement, such as a support ring securing the periphery of the substrate to an underlying base layer that enhances the depth of penetration and focus of the ultrasound.

Abstract: A method of projecting liquid as jets or droplets from a nozzle provided on a transducer formed by a region of a material layer, the method comprising the steps of: supplying liquid to an inner end of the nozzle; exciting the nozzle to cause movement of the nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis in order to project liquid as a droplet from an outer face of the nozzle; wherein the step of exciting the nozzle comprises sequentially driving the transducer with a first rising voltage change, a first falling voltage change, a second rising voltage change and a second falling voltage change; and wherein the first rising voltage change and the first falling voltage change are timed so that they enhance the movement of the material layer, and the second rising voltage change and the second falling voltage change are timed so that they substantially cancel the movement of the material layer.

Abstract: A device for projecting liquid as jets or droplets from multiple nozzles, the device comprising: a plurality of transducers oriented substantially parallel to one another and each having an inner face and an outer face opposite said inner face, the transducers being arranged in a substantially planar array; a plurality of nozzles to project liquid therefrom; liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the nozzles; each nozzle is associated with an adjacent respective transducer which is excitable to cause movement of the adjacent associated nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis, to project liquid therefrom; the liquid supply means supplies liquid to an inner end of said nozzle; means for selectively exciting transducers as required, thereby to project liquid as jets or droplets from the respective outer face by movement of the liquid through the nozzle in response to the movement of the nozzle; wherein one or more pressure absorbing regions are disposed at a predetermined dista

Abstract: A method of projecting liquid as jets or droplets from a nozzle provided on a transducer formed by a region of a material layer, the method comprising the steps of: supplying liquid to an inner end of the nozzle; exciting the nozzle to cause movement of the nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis in order to project liquid as a droplet from an outer face of the nozzle; wherein the step of exciting the nozzle comprises sequentially driving the transducer with a first rising voltage change, a first falling voltage change, a second rising voltage change and a second falling voltage change; and wherein the first rising voltage change and the first falling voltage change are timed so that they enhance the movement of the material layer, and the second rising voltage change and the second falling voltage change are timed so that they substantially cancel the movement of the material layer.

Abstract: A device for projecting liquid as jets or droplets from multiple nozzles, the device comprising: a plurality of transducers oriented substantially parallel to one another and each having an inner face and an outer face opposite said inner face, the transducers being arranged in a substantially planar array; a plurality of nozzles to project liquid therefrom; liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the nozzles; each nozzle is associated with an adjacent respective transducer which is excitable to cause movement of the adjacent associated nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis, to project liquid therefrom; the liquid supply means supplies liquid to an inner end of said nozzle; means for selectively exciting transducers as required, thereby to project liquid as jets or droplets from the respective outer face by movement of the liquid through the nozzle in response to the movement of the nozzle; wherein one or more pressure absorbing regions are disposed at a predetermined distance