Abstract: A treatment head (20, 20?) includes an ultrasound imaging probe (22) which generates a sonogram (24) of internal anatomy of a subject (25), and a HIFU transducer 26 which emits HIFU energy (31) into the subject. A chair (28) includes a chair-frame (30) and a seat (32). When the subject is sitting in the chair, a perineum (34) of the subject is acoustically coupled to the treatment head. Control circuitry (36) (a) controls movement of the treatment head relative to the seat, (b) operates the ultrasound imaging probe to generate at least one sonogram of internal anatomy of the subject through the perineum of the subject, and (c) operates the HIFU transducer to emit HIFU energy into the body of the subject through the perineum of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (18) assesses a characteristic of a tissue (46). A set (80) of one or more acoustic transducers (50, 54) transmits a first acoustic field (48) at a first frequency into the tissue, generating oscillatory motion at the first frequency of scatterers disposed in the tissue. A second acoustic field (56) at a second frequency higher than the first frequency is transmitted into the tissue. Echo data is received due to the second acoustic field scattering off an oscillating scatterer that is oscillating at the first frequency. A computer processor (29) derives an indication of acoustic impedance of the tissue based on the echo data, and drive an output device (40) to output an indication of whether the tissue is or may be a tumor, based on the indication of the acoustic impedance. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A focused-ultrasound or other procedure for treating a target within a tissue region can be planned iteratively by creating a treatment plan specifying a treatment location pattern and stimuli applied thereto, simulating the treatment, computationally predicting an effect of the simulated treatment, comparing the predicted effect against one or more treatment constraints (such as efficacy and/or safety thresholds), and, if a constraint is violated, repeating the simulation for an adjusted treatment plan.

Abstract: A focused-ultrasound or other procedure for treating a target within a tissue region can be planned iteratively by creating a treatment plan specifying a treatment location pattern and stimuli applied thereto, simulating the treatment, computationally predicting an effect of the simulated treatment, comparing the predicted effect against one or more treatment constraints (such as efficacy and/or safety thresholds), and, if a constraint is violated, repeating the simulation for an adjusted treatment plan.

Abstract: A focused-ultrasound or other procedure for treating a target within a tissue region can be planned iteratively by creating a treatment plan specifying a treatment location pattern and stimuli applied thereto, simulating the treatment, computationally predicting an effect of the simulated treatment, comparing the predicted effect against one or more treatment constraints (such as efficacy and/or safety thresholds), and, if a constraint is violated, repeating the simulation for an adjusted treatment plan.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing ultrasound transducers that include multiple separate, independently movable transducer segments.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized.

Abstract: A focused-ultrasound or other procedure for treating a target within a tissue region can be planned iteratively by creating a treatment plan specifying a treatment location pattern and stimuli applied thereto, simulating the treatment, computationally predicting an effect of the simulated treatment, comparing the predicted effect against one or more treatment constraints (such as efficacy and/or safety thresholds), and, if a constraint is violated, repeating the simulation for an adjusted treatment plan.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an energy beam from a group of elements of an external phased array energy projector for a medical ablation treatment. The method comprises transmitting first energy pulses from a subset of elements of the group, measuring signal parameters of first energy signals from reception of first energy pulses by energy sensors, and calculating for the group energy transmission parameters. The method further comprises transmitting second energy pulses by other elements, measuring signal parameters of second energy signals based on a reception the pulses by energy sensors, and calculating for the group a second set of energy transmission parameters. The method further comprises calculating transmission instructions for transmitting a phased array energy beam from the group by combining first and second energy transmission parameters. The method transmits an energy beam based on the transmission instructions.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided an ultrasound system and method for glass deicing and defrosting, particularly of car's windshields. The system includes cube-shaped ultrasound transducers which generate high-intensity ultrasound waves which propagate in the windshields and heat it uniformly. Selection of the working parameters of the system is performed for specific windshields by a method including simulations.

Abstract: There is provided a method of treating a patient comprising: screening a patient suffering from signs and/or symptoms of at least one medical condition secondary to increased sympathetic tone; selecting the patient for treatment by ablation of at least one neural structure containing sympathetic nerves to reduce the sympathetic tone, the neural structure comprises one or more of: celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, inferior mesenteric ganglion, aorticorenal ganglion; selecting a target of at least one measurable parameter affected by the sympathetic tone; ablating at least a portion of the neural structure to deactivate the portion of the neural structure; monitoring changes in the at least one measurable parameter; comparing the at least one measurable parameter to the selected target; and performing another ablation of the same neural structure, and/or another neural structure, based on the comparison.

Abstract: Ultrasound focusing may be improved by combining knowledge of the target tissue and/or focusing arrangement with focus measurements.

Abstract: A method of modulating tissue of an internal organ in vivo is disclosed. The method comprises: fixating the tissue on a shaped device so as to shape the tissue generally according to a shape of the device; and focusing radiation on the fixated tissue using a radiation-emitting system so as to modulate the tissue, wherein the radiation-emitting system is non-local with respect to the shaped device.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided an ultrasound system and method for glass deicing and defrosting, particularly of car's windshields. The system includes cube-shaped ultrasound transducers which generate high-intensity ultrasound waves which propagate in the windshields and heat it uniformly. Selection of the working parameters of the system is performed for specific windshields by a method including simulations.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing ultrasound transducers that include multiple separate, independently movable transducer segments.

Abstract: Ultrasound focusing may be improved by combining knowledge of the target tissue and/or focusing arrangement with focus measurements.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized.