Abstract: A method and system capable of applying microwave therapy guided by thermoacoustic imaging and/or thermoacoustic thermometry is disclosed. The system includes a thermoacoustic imaging system and/or a thermoacoustic thermometry system that generate(s) a map of a region of interest; and a microwave therapy system that targets the region of interest using the map, and that applies the microwave therapy to the targeted region of interest. Treatment of the targeted region of interest may be employed by the microwave therapy system using real-time feedback from the thermoacoustic imaging system and/or the thermoacoustic thermometry system. Imaging and therapy may be automatically co-registered.

Abstract: Systems are provided for assessing the likelihood that a sample of cardiac tissue will spontaneously exhibit disordered electrical activity. These systems induce ventricular tachycardia or other disordered electrical activity in a sample of human and/or animal cardiac tissue either in vivo or in vitro. This system can be used to assess the ability of various pharmaceuticals, genetic modifications, electrical pacing, surgical ablation, or other therapeutic interventions to prevent or halt such disordered electrical activity. This system detects electrical activity from a plurality of points on the surface of the sample of cardiac tissue and generates one or more maps of monophasic action potential amplitude, monophasic action potential duration, local field amplitude, or other electrophysiological parameters of the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: An acoustoelectric image-guided therapy system and method for applying acoustoelectric image-guided therapy are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to therapy systems and methods that utilize and are based on acoustoelectric imaging. The acoustoelectric imaging may be combined with focused therapies such as ultrasound, ablation, or hyperthermia for treatment of, for example, acute or chronic conduction abnormalities (e.g., neuropathy, arrhythmia, epilepsy, etc.). Current-density maps are obtained near the region of interest using acoustoelectric imaging techniques. Targeting of the region of interest is then identified for therapy based on the current-density maps. Treatment of the targeted region of interest is then employed while optionally monitoring bioelectric properties using real-time feedback from the acoustoelectric imaging. Imaging and therapy may be automatically co-registered. Standard electrophysiology (e.g., ENG, ECG, EEG, etc.

Abstract: A method and system capable of applying microwave therapy guided by thermoacoustic imaging and/or thermoacoustic thermometry is disclosed. The system includes a thermoacoustic imaging system and/or a thermoacoustic thermometry system that generate(s) a map of a region of interest; and a microwave therapy system that targets the region of interest using the 5 map, and that applies the microwave therapy to the targeted region of interest. Treatment of the targeted region of interest may be employed by the microwave therapy system using real-time feedback from the thermoacoustic imaging system and/or the thermoacoustic thermometry system. Imaging and therapy may be automatically co-registered.

Abstract: Systems are provided for assessing the likelihood that a sample of cardiac tissue will spontaneously exhibit disordered electrical activity. These systems induce ventricular tachycardia or other disordered electrical activity in a sample of human and/or animal cardiac tissue either in vivo or in vitro. This system can be used to assess the ability of various pharmaceuticals, genetic modifications, electrical pacing, surgical ablation, or other therapeutic interventions to prevent or halt such disordered electrical activity. This system detects electrical activity from a plurality of points on the surface of the sample of cardiac tissue and generates one or more maps of monophasic action potential amplitude, monophasic action potential duration, local field amplitude, or other electrophysiological parameters of the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Thermal strain imaging can be used to identify vascular plaques. Methods include heating and imaging with ultrasound to identify vulnerable plaques, which typically consist of a large lipid-rich core, in peripheral arteries of a patient. Lipid-bearing tissue has a negative temperature dependence of sound speed, whereas water-based tissue has a positive one, allowing thermal strain imaging to differentiate the two different types of tissues with high contrast to characterize plaque composition. Apparatus and methods of the present teachings allow noninvasive and reliable plaque identification.