Abstract: A medical apparatus (600, 700, 800, 900) including a high intensity focused ultrasound system (602) generates focused ultrasonic energy (612) for sonicating within a target volume (620) of a subject (601). The high intensity focused ultrasound includes an ultrasonic transducer (606) with a controllable focus (618). The apparatus further includes a memory (634) containing machine executable for controlling the medical apparatus and a processor (628). The processor causes (100, 200, 300, 400, 502) ultrasonic cavitations at multiple cavitation locations (622, 1002) within the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system, and sonicates (102, 206, 306, 402, 504) multiple sonication locations (1004) within the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The multiple sonication locations and the multiple cavitation locations are targeted by adjusting the controllable focus.

Abstract: A catheter (700, 800, 1206) includes a shaft with distal (808, 906, 1004, 208) and proximal ends (1006). The distal end comprises at least one array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (308, 402, 404, 500, 512, 600, 604, 802, 008) with an adjustable focus for controllably heating a target zone (806, 1014, 1210). A connector (1012) at the proximal end supplies the at least one array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers with electrical power and controls the adjustable focus.

Abstract: A therapy system comprises a therapy module to direct a therapeutic action to a target along successive trajectories in a target zone that includes the target. A thermometry module is provided to measure temperature in a measurement field and to compute a thermal dose. The measurement field at least partially covers the target zone. A control module controls the therapy module to switch the therapeutic action to a next successive trajectory on the basis of the measured temperature or thermal dose. The successive trajectories are located inside of or outside of one another within the target zone. The therapeutic action comprises application of a focused ultrasound beam to the target. Temperature measurement is done on the basis of magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: A therapy system includes a therapy module to perform successive deposits of energy in a target zone. The therapy system further includes a control module configured to, prior to deposits of energy, produce an a priori estimate of the induced heating. A thermometry module is configured to measure temperature in a measurement field. The induced heating may be derived based on a tissue model from the settings of a therapy module. The therapy module includes a high-intensity focused ultrasound transmitter. A magnetic resonance examination system configured for thermometry is employed as the thermometry module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for effective systems and methods for increasing target tissue conspicuity within a particular anatomy of a particular patient. In an exemplary embodiment, a system associated with the present disclosure includes: (a) a MRI-guided HIFU system for generating ablation markings on a target tissue region, the MRI-guided HIFU system including a transducer for delivering HIFU to the target tissue region, the delivered HIFU generating the ablation markings on the target tissue and an MRI imaging system adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the target tissue region during HIFU delivery for guiding the delivery of the HIFU to the target tissue region; (b) a radiotherapy delivery system for delivering radiotherapy treatment to the target tissue region; and (c) a CT imaging system operable within the radiotherapy delivery system for generating a three dimensional image of the target tissue region.

Abstract: Method and system for ultrasound imaging of body tissue in which a focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer (20) is oriented relative to the body such that ultrasonic waves generated by the FUS transducer (20) are directed toward the tissue being imaged. The FUS transducer (20) is operated to cause the formation of microbubbles (28) in the tissue and an ultrasound image of the tissue with the microbubbles (28) is acquired. Phase aberration in the acquired ultrasound image may be corrected, if necessary, using each microbubble (28) as a point source or point-like scatterer. Microbubble (28) formation can therefore be obtained in a non-invasive manner since FUS-induced microbubble (28) formation does not require the insertion of interventional tools into the body.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment includes applying ultrasound at a first energy level to a region of interest in a subject for activating a cavitation nucleation agent during a first portion of a treatment cycle. Ultrasound at a second energy level is applied to the region of interest during a second portion of the treatment cycle for implementing a desired thermal therapy in the presence of the cavitation nucleation agent activated during the first portion of the treatment cycle. The second energy level is at an energy level different from the first energy level.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (600, 700, 800, 900) comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (602) configured for generating focused ultrasonic energy (612) for sonicating within a target volume (620) of a subject (601). The high intensity focused ultrasound comprises an ultrasonic transducer (606) with a controllable focus (618). The apparatus further comprises a memory (634) containing machine executable for controlling the medical apparatus and a processor (628) for executing the instructions. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to cause (100, 200, 300, 400, 502) ultrasonic cavitations at multiple cavitation locations (622, 1002) within the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. Execution of the instructions further cause the processor to sonicate (102, 206, 306, 402, 504) multiple sonication locations (1004) within the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302) for sonicating a sonication volume (324) of a subject (320). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (350) within an imaging volume (316). The sonication volume is within the imaging volume. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a controller (304) for controlling the therapeutic apparatus. The treatment plan comprises instructions for controlling the operation of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for sonicating (100) the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for repeatedly acquiring (102) magnetic resonance thermometry data using the magnetic resonance imaging system during execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A catheter (700, 800, 1206) comprising: a shaft with distal (808, 906, 1004, 208) and proximal ends (1006),wherein the distal end comprises at least one array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (308, 402, 404, 500, 512, 600, 604, 802, 008) with an adjustable focus for controllably heating a target zone (806, 1014, 1210); and a connector (1012) at the proximal end for supplying the at least one array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers with electrical power and for controlling the adjustable focus.

Abstract: A therapy system includes a therapy module, e.g., a high-intensity-focused ultrasound transmitter, to perform successive deposits of energy in a target zone. The successive deposits being separated by a cool down period. The therapy system further includes a thermometry module, e.g. by a magnetic resonance examination system, configured for thermometry to measure temperature in a measurement field. A control module regulates the cool down period in dependence of the measured off-focus maximum temperature during the energy deposit preceding the cool down period.

Abstract: System and method for enabling intra-operative selection of an image registration transformation for use in displaying a first image dataset and a second image dataset in correspondence with one another. Image dataset acquisition devices (12, 14) obtain the first and second image datasets. A similarity function indicative of a likelihood that the first and second image datasets are in correspondence with one another is computed by a processor (16) and then a ranking of each of a plurality of local maxima of the similarity function is determined. Registration transformations derived from a plurality of the local maxima are displayed on a display (18), and using a user-interface (22), a physician can select each registration transformation to ascertain visually whether it is the clinically-optimal registration transformation for subsequent use.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302) for sonicating a sonication volume (324) of a subject (320). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (350) within an imaging volume (316). The sonication volume is within the imaging volume. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a controller (304) for controlling the therapeutic apparatus. The treatment plan comprises instructions for controlling the operation of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for sonicating (100) the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for repeatedly acquiring (102) magnetic resonance thermometry data using the magnetic resonance imaging system during execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: An ultrasound power supply (100) adapted for supplying electrical power for driving an ultrasound transducer (202, 702) in contact with a subject (208), wherein the ultrasound power supply comprises:—a communications interface (102) adapted for receiving a first temperature measurement of a first volume (211, 318) of the subject and a second temperature measurement of a second volume (214, 320) of the subject;—a controller (108) adapted for modulating the output of electrical power for driving the ultrasound transducer such that via ultrasonic heating by the ultrasound transducer: a. the first temperature measurement is maintained above a first predetermined threshold, b. the first temperature measurement is maintained below a second predetermined threshold, and c. the second temperature measurement is maintained below a third predetermined threshold; and wherein the first predetermined threshold is above the third predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A control apparatus (106) for controlling a therapeutic apparatus (100), wherein the control apparatus comprises: —an ultrasound control interface (110) for controlling a therapeutic ultrasound system (102), —a magnetic resonance control interface (112) for controlling a magnetic resonance apparatus (104) adapted for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from a subject and for acquiring magnetic resonance spectroscopy data from a subject (244), —an image processing module (124, 126, 128) for generating at least one magnetic resonance imaging image (500) from the magnetic resonance imaging data and for generating at least one magnetic resonance spectroscopy map (502, 514, 516, 518, 520) from the magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, —a planning module (120) adapted for receiving the magnetic resonance imaging image and the magnetic resonance spectroscopy map and for outputting planning data (732), —a control module (122) adapted for controlling the therapeutic ultrasound system using the ultrasound control

Abstract: A therapy system comprises a therapy module to perform successive deposits of energy in a target zone, the therapy system being provided with a control module is configured to prior the deposits of energy produce an a priori estimate of the induced heating. For example a thermometry module is provided to measure temperature in a measurement field. The induced heating may be derived on the basis of a tissue model from the settings of the therapy module. In particular the therapy module is a high-intensity focuses ultrasound transmitter. A magnetic resonance examination system configured for thermometry is employed as the thermometry module.

Abstract: A therapy system comprising a therapy module, e.g. a high-intensity- focused ultrasound transmitter, to perform successive deposits of energy in a target zone, the successive deposits being separated by a cool down period. The therapy system being provided with a thermometry module, e.g. by a magnetic resonance examination system configured for thermometry to measure temperature in a measurement field. A control module regulates the cool down period in dependence of the measured off-focus maximum temperature during the energy deposit preceding the cool down period.

Abstract: An invasive medical device includes a fluid path of microbubbles which is imaged by ultrasound during use of the device. The fluid path extends through the device, preferably to the distal end of the device, so that the diffuse reflection of ultrasound from the microbubbles can be received to image the location of the device. The fluid path can be open, terminating at the tip of the device, or can be a closed path of a circulating microbubble fluid used for imaging and/or cooling.

Abstract: A therapy system comprises a therapy module to direct a therapeutic action to a target along successive trajectories in a target region that includes the target. A thermometry module is provided to measure temperature a measurement field and in particular to compute a thermal dose. A control module to controls the therapy module to apply the therapeutic action along the respective trajectories on the basis of the measured temperature and/or thermal dose. The successive trajectories are located in the target zone outward or inward relative to one another within the target zone. In particular the therapeutic action subsists in application a focused ultrasound beam to the target. Temperature measurement is done on the basis of magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for effective systems and methods for increasing target tissue conspicuity within a particular anatomy of a particular patient. In an exemplary embodiment, a system associated with the present disclosure includes: (a) a MRI-guided HIFU system for generating ablation markings on a target tissue region, the MRI-guided HIFU system including a transducer for delivering HIFU to the target tissue region, the delivered HIFU generating the ablation markings on the target tissue and an MRI imaging system adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the target tissue region during HIFU delivery for guiding the delivery of the HIFU to the target tissue region; (b) a radiotherapy delivery system for delivering radiotherapy treatment to the target tissue region; and (c) a CT imaging system operable within the radiotherapy delivery system for generating a three dimensional image of the target tissue region.