Abstract: A system and method for ultrasound treatment is presented. The system and method alternatingly provide microbubbles in a target region containing a biomineralization, then insonate the microbubbles using an external ultrasound source. The microbubbles cavitate in the target region, destructively affecting the biomineralization and potentially breaking it or reducing its mass over time as a result of the cavitation action. Spatial orientation or alignment of the external ultrasound source may be achieved for best results using acoustic signatures and spectral representations of the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel target detecting device comprising an excitation transducer generating a low frequency pulses of weakly focused ultrasonic energy and a sensing transducer. The present invention also includes a method of aligning a treatment transducer to a target by mapping the target in situ by sending a low frequency ultrasound signal and receiving reflected signals from the target. These inventions provide a simpler way of determining the location of a target and aligning a treatment transducer without the need to generate and interpret an image and then translate the image back onto the target.

Abstract: A method for localization a biomineralization in a volume comprises (a) producing, by an ultrasonic transducer, pulses of produced ultrasonic energy waves having a fundamental frequency; (b) injecting microbubbles proximal to the biomineralization; (c) receiving, by an acoustic receiver, returned ultrasonic energy waves to produce a signal output; (d) processing the signal output to isolate diminished frequencies of the signal output, the diminished frequencies having a frequency range that is less than 50% of the fundamental frequency and greater than or equal to about 4% of the fundamental frequency; (e) monitoring the diminished frequencies, with a processor, for a diminished-frequency spectral signature that corresponds with a location of the biomineralization; and (f) determining a spatial location of the biomineralization, with the processor, based on the diminished-frequency spectral signature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel target detecting device comprising an excitation transducer generating a low frequency pulses of weakly focused ultrasonic energy and a sensing transducer. The present invention also includes a method of aligning a treatment transducer to a target by mapping the target in situ by sending a low frequency ultrasound signal and receiving reflected signals from the target. These inventions provide a simpler way of determining the location of a target and aligning a treatment transducer without the need to generate and interpret an image and then translate the image back onto the target.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel target detecting device comprising an excitation transducer generating a low frequency pulses of weakly focused ultrasonic energy and a sensing transducer. The present invention also includes a method of aligning a treatment transducer to a target by mapping the target in situ by sending a low frequency ultrasound signal and receiving reflected signals from the target. These inventions provide a simpler way of determining the location of a target and aligning a treatment transducer without the need to generate and interpret an image and then translate the image back onto the target.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an ultrasound device configured to generate a frustum-shaped beam capable of fragmenting a plurality of biomineralizations located within a patient's body in combination with synthetic cavitation nuclei. The ultrasound device includes a transducer assembly comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, and a multi-channel amplifier circuit. Each channel of the multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to actuate a distinct subset of the plurality of transducer elements. The multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to operate in each of a plurality of states, each state of comprising a set of frequencies at which each channel of the multi-channel amplifier circuit is configured to actuate the distinct subset of transducer elements. The multi-channel amplifier circuit is further configured to switch between the plurality of states, thereby causing the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements to produce a frustum-shaped beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a microfluidic cartridge including a high performance actuator useful for analyte detection, labeling and analysis. Microfluidic processing systems are to carry out chemical or biochemical reactions, or sequences of reactions, with small volumes (typically between 1 microliter and 10 milliliters) of reactants and products. A microfluidic processing system can comprise a network of tubes interfaced with discrete components such as valves and sensors, or an integrated device made of plastic, glass, metal, or other materials, or a combination of materials, with components such as valves and sensors built into the device and connected by flow passageways formed in the material.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasound treatment is presented. The system and method alternatingly provide microbubbles in a target region containing a biomineralization, then insonate the microbubbles using an external ultrasound source. The microbubbles cavitate in the target region, destructively affecting the biomineralization and potentially breaking it or reducing its mass over time as a result of the cavitation action. Spatial orientation or alignment of the external ultrasound source may be achieved for best results using acoustic signatures and spectral representations of the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel target detecting device comprising an excitation transducer generating a low frequency pulses of weakly focused ultrasonic energy and a sensing transducer. The present invention also includes a method of aligning a treatment transducer to a target by mapping the target in situ by sending a low frequency ultrasound signal and receiving reflected signals from the target. These inventions provide a simpler way of determining the location of a target and aligning a treatment transducer without the need to generate and interpret an image and then translate the image back onto the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a microfluidic cartridge including a high performance actuator useful for analyte detection, labeling and analysis. Microfluidic processing systems are to carry out chemical or biochemical reactions, or sequences of reactions, with small volumes (typically between 1 microliter and 10 milliliters) of reactants and products. A microfluidic processing system can comprise a network of tubes interfaced with discrete components such as valves and sensors, or an integrated device made of plastic, glass, metal, or other materials, or a combination of materials, with components such as valves and sensors built into the device and connected by flow passageways formed in the material.