Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can generate and display 3D ultrasound image data of superior image quality in real time is provided. To achieve a high volume rate for acquiring 3D ultrasound image data, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus performs 3D scans on a 3D region of an object while sequentially shifting a transmission/reception group that is comprised of each of the transmitting acoustic fields and more than five parallel simultaneous reception beam directions corresponded to each of the transmitting acoustic fields at a prescribed angular distance ??0 along the ? (azimuth) direction and the ? (elevation) direction.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for ultrasonically acquiring far-field and near-field images within a body are disclosed. An ultrasound imaging device adapted for insertion within a body includes a first ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a first frequency for acquiring far-field images within the body, and a second ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a higher frequency than the first frequency for acquiring near-field images within the body. The ultrasound imaging device can be connected to a control device and user interface for visualizing far-field and near-field images acquired by the ultrasonic sensors.

Abstract: Some embodiments include acquisition of color Doppler data, detection of one or more transitions of the color Doppler data, each of the one or more transitions being between a first area representing flow velocity in a first direction and a second area representing flow velocity not in the first direction, and application of a first set of aliasing corrections to the color Doppler data to generate second color Doppler data. For each of the one or more transitions, a first energy function is calculated based on the one or more pairs of color Doppler values in the second color Doppler data, and a first total energy function associated with the first set of aliasing corrections is determined based on the calculated first energy functions. Next, a second total energy function associated with a second set of aliasing corrections is determined based on calculated second energy functions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a multi-dimensionally arrayed transducer, a matching layer, and a backing layer. The transducer includes element groups having different focal distances and simultaneously transmitting ultrasonic signals toward an object. According to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the multi-dimensionally arrayed transducer, a multi-focus transmission is performed. Thus, the multi-focus ultrasonic image may be acquired within a short period of time, thereby increasing frame rates, and a high-quality image in which all areas are focused may be quickly acquired.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing geometry of an object surface via echographic probing, using an ultrasound probe including plural transducers, the method including: controlling the transducers to transmit towards the surface ultrasound waves having initial transmission delays between them; executing at least once a cycle of operations including receiving from the transducers intermediate measurement signals, correcting transmission delays of the transducers using intermediate measurement signals, and controlling the transducers to transmit towards the surface ultrasound waves having the corrected transmission delays; receiving from the transducers final measurement signals resulting from reflection of a wavefront received simultaneously on the surface; determining specular travel times between each transducer and the surface based on the final measurement signals and the corrected transmission delays; and perform geometric reconstitution of the surface based on the determined specular travel times.

Abstract: Beam enhancement through sidelobe reduction and/or mainlobe sharpening is shown. Embodiments utilize dynamic resolution, improved dynamic resolution, and/or enhanced dynamic resolution techniques to synthesize beams, such as ultrasonic beams used in ultrasonic imaging, having desired attributes. Embodiments simultaneously form a first sample beam and a second or auxiliary sample beam for every sample to synthesize enhanced scan beams. According to a dynamic resolution techniques herein a new beam may be formed from the sum of the two sample beams. A synthesized dynamic resolution beam of embodiments has reduced sidelobes with relatively little or no spread of the mainlobe. An enhanced dynamic resolution beam sharpening function can be applied to provide a further enhanced beam, such as to further narrow the mainlobe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a frame data generation device configured to generate a frame data of a blood flow image based on echo signals obtained by transmissions and receptions of ultrasonic waves on a same acoustic ray, a processed frame data generation device configured to generate a processed frame data using current data excluding an error data having a higher brightness, a faster blood speed, or a higher blood flow power than a brightness, a blood speed, or a blood flow power of standard data within pixel data corresponding to each other in a plurality of frame data at different time phases, and an image display control device configured to display a blood flow image based on the processed framed data.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for resolving a pivot point via touchless interaction. It applies to situations where one end of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary at a pivot point, while the other end is free to move and is accessible to an input pointing device. As an example, the rigid object can be a leg bone where the proximal end is at the hip joint and the distal end is at the knee. The system comprises a wand and a receiver that are spatially configurable to touchlessly locate the pivot point without contact. The receiver tracks a relative displacement of the wand and geometrically resolves the location of the pivot point by a spherical mapping. The system can use a combination of ultrasonic sensing and/or accelerometer measurements. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a transmitter which transmits an ultrasound pulse to a subject, a receiver which receives ultrasound coming from the subject, and a signal processor to process a received signal at the receiver and generate image data. The receiver has a predetermined reception band, and the ultrasound pulse transmitted by the transmitter has one frequency band with a frequency peak. Each of an upper limit frequency and a lower limit frequency of the one frequency band is set to be values which make a low frequency harmonic component and a high frequency harmonic component produced by the ultrasound pulse be within the reception band. The signal processor generates image data by using a nonlinear component of at least one of the low frequency and high frequency harmonic component received by the receiver.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises a reception data memory that sequentially stores therein pieces of reception data; a beam forming unit that has a cache memory and that divides the pieces of reception data stored in the reception data memory into plural groups, sequentially transfers the plural groups to the cache memory, and performs stepwise phasing addition on the plural groups transferred to the cache memory; and a digital beam forming controller that obtains in advance a total amount of reception data to be used in the phasing addition according to the imaging condition, and controls the beam forming unit in accordance with the total amount of reception data and the cache memory capacity such that the beam forming unit divides the pieces of reception data into the plural groups so as to each fit into the cache memory capacity.

Abstract: A 2D array transducer (10) is separated into a plurality of sub-arrays. Four representative sub-arrays SA1 to SA4 are shown in an enlarged manner. In addition, the 2D array transducer (10) is segmented into a plurality of transducer regions. Four regions of (I)-(IV) segmented by dot-and-chain lines represent four transducer regions. A grouping process is executed for each sub-array to group the plurality of transducer elements belonging to the sub-array into a plurality of element groups. In this process, for each transducer region, a common grouping pattern is set for the plurality of sub-arrays belonging to the transducer region. For example, because sub-arrays SA1 and SA2 belong to the same transducer region (IV), a common grouping pattern is set for the sub-arrays SA1 and SA2.

Abstract: The invention was made to simplify the operation relating to the detection of an absolute pressure applied to a test body by an ultrasonic probe and thereby to enhance usability.

Abstract: An imaging method and device for the cardiovascular system, the method including the steps of: acquiring a volumetric image having scan planes adjacent to each other of a periodically moving object; identifying at least one time interval of at least one periodic movement of that object; rearranging the scan planes of the volumetric image based on the time interval by combining with each other the scan planes that are in the same time position with respect to the time interval, the object including at least one blood vessel with periodic movements, at least constriction and dilation, and generating and displaying a virtual endo-navigation three-dimensional model by segmenting and reconstructing the volumetric image, the point of view being movable along at least one path, for determining plaques, stenoses or strictures, and/or for analyzing moving structures inside the vessel such as valve leaflets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs transmission ultrasound toward a subject due to a pulse signal being input and which outputs a received signal by receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject and a transmission unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound by outputting a pulse signal whose drive waveform is formed of rectangular waves. The transmission unit outputs pulse signals whose drive waveforms are asymmetric to each other on a same scanning line for a plurality of times with a time interval therebetween. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus further includes an image generation unit which combines received signals each of which obtained from the reflected ultrasound of the transmission ultrasound generated by each output of pulse signal and generates ultrasound image data on a basis of a composite received signal.

Abstract: To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods of combined ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging are provided. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to determine the location or positioning of a metal object in a sample. In other embodiments, the methods may be used to determine the composition of a sample surrounding a metal object. Other methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to an imaging apparatus having a reinforced electrical signal transmission member, and method of use thereof. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes a hollow elongate body. The apparatus also includes an elongate electrical signal transmission member within the body. The elongate signal transmission member includes two or more outer jacket layers. There is an imaging device within the body and the signal transmission member is coupled to the imaging device.

Abstract: A patient interface system for scanning a volume of tissue protruding from a patient, the system comprising: a base including a planar portion configured to support the patient in a prone configuration, and a frustoconical portion extending from the planar portion and defining a base aperture configured to receive the volume of tissue; and a support assembly configured to couple to the base, including a frame and a membrane retained in tension within the frame at a peripheral portion of the membrane, wherein the membrane defines a membrane aperture configured to align with the base aperture, and wherein the membrane is configured to deflect into the frustoconical portion of the base in response to the patient's weight. The system can further include an electrical subsystem including a pressure sensor array configured to generate signals in response to a pressure distribution resulting from the patient's weight at the patient interface system.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an ultrasound probe includes a housing configured for grasping by a human hand; an array of transducers for transducing sound waves into electrical signals; a circuit board in the housing, the circuit board having a plurality of leads, each of the transducers being coupled to at least an associated one of the leads; processing circuitry in the housing and coupled to the circuit board for processing the electrical signals, or derivatives of the electrical signals, into sonogram data; and an output device for outputting the sonogram data.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound receive beamforming includes receiving a first plurality of sensing signals from target tissue, forming a first plurality of digital sensing signals, and data processing the digital sensing signals along a first plurality of data paths to form a first plurality of delayed and apodized digital sensing signals. Data path combining generates data combinations of the delayed and apodized digital sensing signals to include two or more of the delayed and apodized digital sensing signals that originate from different ones of the transducer elements. The data combinations are interpolation filtered using a plurality of interpolation filters to form a second plurality of delayed and apodized digital sensing signals, which are then summed to form an ultrasound receive beamformed signal. The interpolation filters can be interpolation filters in a single shared filter bank, with each interpolation filter providing a different fractional delay.

Abstract: To be able to control an aperture in ultrasound transducer units comprised such that the signals from a plurality of ultrasound transducers are added and output. An ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a plurality of delay circuits, and an adder circuit, and configured to be able to control a reception aperture of ultrasound waves. The delay circuit performs a delay processing to reception signals. The adder circuit adds and outputs the reception signals for each predetermined group. The ultrasound probe further comprises a gate means. The gate means switches connection and disconnection of the signal path for each signal path arranged between the ultrasound transducer and the adder circuit.

Abstract: A fluid fillable catheter capsule assembly is provided suitable for use with an appropriate catheter in imaging applications for medical or surgical procedures. Methods of constructing such fluid fillable catheter capsule assemblies, methods of using the fluid fillable catheter capsule assemblies, and imaging systems provided with fluid fillable catheter capsule assemblies are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound imaging of a body, particularly a breast of a patient, includes ultrasonic pulse-emitting and pulse-receiving units, disposed in facing relationship at a predetermined distance from each other on opposite sides of a compartment for receiving the body, ultrasonic pulses emitted by the emitting unit and received by the receiving unit after passing through the body being converted into transmit signals; and an ultrasonic pulse emitting and receiving unit disposed to define a scan plane substantially perpendicular to the coronal plane of the patient and having one or more electro-acoustic transducers, which emit ultrasonic pulses into the body and receive echoes generated by the anatomic structures of the body, the echoes being converted into reflection signals. An acoustic impedance adaptation medium, particularly a liquid, preferably water, is interposed between the emitting unit and/or the receiving unit and/or the emitting and receiving unit and the breast.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs transmission ultrasound toward a subject due to a pulse signal being input and which outputs a received signal by receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject, and a transmission unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound by outputting a pulse signal whose drive waveform is formed of rectangular waves. The frequency power spectrum of the pulse signal has intensity peaks in a frequency band included in a transmission frequency band at ?20 dB of the ultrasound probe on a low frequency side and a high frequency side of a center frequency of the transmission frequency band, respectively, and intensity of a frequency region between the intensity peaks is ?20 dB or greater with a maximum value of intensity among the intensity peaks being a reference.

Abstract: A device images time-wise in parallel using transducer elements of a group (428, 432, 436, 440). In some embodiments, the elements are of a current group and imaging is time-wise sequential by group. The groups may be spatially disposed (408, 412) with respect to each other so as to mutually intermesh element-wise. The imaging may include volumetric imaging. The device can be configured for not collectively using any of the elements to focus, nor to steer, a beam used in the imaging. The device might be operable to transition between spacing states (404, 408, 412) at least one of which is characterized by a respective minimum, nonzero, degree of intra-group, element-to-element non-adjacency (470), or may be fixed at one spacing state. The transitioning may be automatic, in response to input indicative of blood vessel size and/or depth.

Abstract: Transesophageal echocardiography is implemented using a miniature transversely oriented transducer that is preferably small enough to fit in a 7.5 mm diameter probe, and most preferably small enough to fit in a 5 mm diameter probe. Signal processing techniques improve the depth of penetration to the point where the complete trans-gastric short axis view of the left ventricle can be obtained, despite the fact that the transducer is so small. The reduced diameter of the probe (as compared to prior art probes) reduces risks to patients, reduces or eliminates the need for anesthesia, and permits long term direct-visualization monitoring of patients' cardiac function.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the--shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

Abstract: A system and method of touchless interaction is provided for resolving a pivot point of an object where direct placement of a sensor at the pivot point is not practical. It applies to situations where the pivot point of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary, while the other end is free to move and is accessible. The system maps the object's pivot point by way of an external sensor that detects constrained motion of the rigid object within a hemispherical banded boundary. It can also detect a geometric pattern and acceleration during the constrained motion to compensate for higher order rotations about the pivot point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus controls, out of a plurality of arithmetic cores each for phasing addition on element data, the no river of arithmetic cores to be used in phasing addition on element data in accordance with remaining power of a built in battery, and produces an ultrasound image based on the element data that has been subjected to phasing addition by the arithmetic cores used.

Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the controller writes and reads element data of one frame into and out from two or more buffer memories 21a, 21b, . . . 21i sequentially frame by frame and assigns the element data of one frame sequentially read out from the buffer memories to a plurality of arithmetic blocks of a signal processor, wherein the element data assigned is subjected to processing by each of a plurality of arithmetic cores in the plurality of arithmetic blocks to produce an image signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for volumetric ultrasound imaging of a breast using different modes, including transmission, reflection and the speed of sound, which apparatus comprises a negatively pressurized breast imaging cup with integrated ultrasound transducers and an ultrasound coupling mechanism; an ultrasound system comprising the apparatus; and a method of imaging a breast in three dimensions without moving the ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter (including components attached thereto—e.g., IVUS console, transducer, etc.). Specifically, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a computing device is electrically connected to a catheter and used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure (e.g., a blood vessel, etc.). The backscattered ultrasound data is then used, together with an algorithm, to estimate the transfer function. The transfer function can then be used (at least in a preferred embodiment) to calculate response data for the vascular tissue (i.e., the tissue component of the backscattered ultrasound data). In a second embodiment of the present invention, an IVUS console is electrically connected to a catheter and a computing device and is used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure.

Abstract: A new, inexpensive and non-invasive fetal visualization process helps to locate fetal body parts and identify fetal positions without exposing the fetus to prolonged ultrasound irradiation. Associating location data with biological electrophysiology signal patterns and/or light absorption/reflection-related tissue-specific local fetal body composition data enables the generation of a 3D anatomical and functional map of the fetal body through the expecting mother's womb, which will be essential for long-term home monitoring of a fetus during pregnancy.

Abstract: Switching is provided in a transducer array of medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The switching controls the formation of macro elements or aperture for scanning a plane or volume. The switches are implemented with one or more transistors. The control causes the gates of the transistor to float during the “on” connection. While on, the switch connects, allowing ultrasound signals to pass through the switch.

Abstract: A gain control method for B-mode ultrasonic imaging, a gain control module, and a B-mode ultrasonic imaging system are disclosed.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transmission and reception for sound speed setting is performed in response to an instruction to freeze, an instruction on an observation target range, an instruction to change image quality and an instruction to change an image mode, a reception signal obtained by the ultrasonic transmission and reception for sound speed setting is used to set the sound speed in a subject, and a reception signal obtained during ultrasonic transmission and reception is processed based on the set sound speed to produce an ultrasound image. Such method makes it possible to produce a high-quality ultrasound image subjected to delay correction appropriate to various operations on an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, such as freezing and change in image quality.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging apparatus or techniques can include obtaining at least an approximation of samples of reflected ultrasonic energy and constructing a representation of an imaging plane within the tissue region. Such apparatus or techniques can include separately determining, for respective focusing locations respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy obtained via respective first lines of transducers, and separately determining, for the specified focusing location, a second sum of at least some the respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy, the second sum corresponding to a second line of transducers in the ultrasonic transducer array. The separately determining the first or second sums of at least approximated complex samples can include phase-rotating at least some of the complex samples. The second line of transducers can be orthogonal to respective first lines in the transducer plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time-delay inverted beamforming are provided. One method includes sampling, substantially uniformly in time, a set of continuous-time element signals to form a set of sampled element signals and mapping, for each sampled element signal, one or more samples substantially equally spaced in time to one or more samples non-equally spaced in time corresponding to the respective contribution of each element signal to a continuous-time beamsum signal. The method also includes forming a beamsum signal sampled substantially uniformly in time from the non-uniformly spaced, mapped samples corresponding to each sampled element signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a receiving section to receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels; a beam forming section to adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals; an image producing section to produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section; a transmission target selecting section to select one from at least two of the receiving signal for each of multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data as a transmission target; and a transmitting section to transmit the transmission target selected by the transmission target selecting section.

Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, when a compound image is produced, delay correction is performed on all of ultrasound images (sub frames) to be combined based on sound velocities set for respective segment regions obtained by dividing the subject. Owing to this configuration, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can produce a high quality compound image by spatial compounding or frequency compounding without being affected by distortion in images.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves for forming focal points used to set sound velocities at predetermined timing such that sound velocities having been set for all of respective segment regions established by diving a subject are all reset every predetermined number of frames. Owing to this configuration, it becomes possible for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to suitably reset sound velocities of ultrasonic waves in the subject and also reduce the amount of calculation for resetting sound velocities.

Abstract: A temperature management system and a method of monitoring temperature in an ultrasound imaging system is provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes at least one ultrasound transducer and a plurality of application specific integrated circuits. Further, the system includes at least one temperature sensing device disposed on at least one of the plurality of application specific integrated circuits. The temperature sensing devices are disposed in such a way that the sensing devices are in thermal contact with at least one heat producing region of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A conformable medical data acquisition pad and configurable imaging system. The conformable pad may comprise a carrier base having a plurality of transceivers in operative association with an interconnection network that communicates with a computer system. The data acquisition pad may be constructed with a flex circuit and at least one ultrasound data collection device to carry out a variety of medical procedures. Different types of signal transmitting and receiving elements can be selected to provide ultrasound systems, including scalable capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers arranged in a variety of configurations in combination with controlling electronics which interface with a translator board and software for signal processing. The resulting ultrasound data, such as a three-dimensional model, can be transmitted via an industry standard high speed bus to standard interfaces on various ultrasound systems.

Abstract: Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image.

Abstract: An ultrasound image having a good image quality is generated in the neighborhood of a puncture needle without lowering the image quality of the whole ultrasound image. A first echo signal received by transmitting first ultrasonic waves focused on an imaging target position and a second echo signal received by transmitting second ultrasonic waves having the depth of the focal point positioned at a uniform position are obtained, the weights of the first echo signal and the second echo signal are determined according to the focal point positions of the respective ultrasonic waves, and weighted addition is performed to generate a corrected image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.

Abstract: An ultrasound servicing system is disclosed. The ultrasound servicing system comprises a near field communication enabled ultrasound scanner, and a near field communication enabled mobile device, wherein when the device is brought within a near field communication range of the scanner, a near field communication link is established for servicing the ultrasound scanner.

Abstract: A system for pairing a wireless ultrasound probe and an ultrasound scanner is provided. The ultrasound system comprises an ultrasound scanner comprising a near field communication reader capable of generating a near field communication activation field and a wireless ultrasound probe comprising a near field communication device, wherein the probe is adapted to transmit pairing information to the scanner via a near field communication protocol.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.