Insightec, Ltd.

Insightec-txsonics Ltd

Insightec-image Guided Treatment Ltd.

Avner Ezion

Shuki Vitek

Kobi Vortman

Yoav Medan

David A Freundlich

Kolisher Izzydor

A focused ultrasound system comprises a transducer having a multiplicity of transducer elements, drive circuitry that generates and outputs a plurality of drive signals, each offset by a respective phase difference, and a controller for selectively coupling the drive signals to respective transducer elements, the controller including a plurality of first tier switching modules and second tier switching modules. Each first tier module receives as an input the plurality of drive signals and outputs one of the drive signals in response to a drive signal selection signal. Each second tier module is coupled to a respective grouping of transducer elements and selectively couples a respective selected drive signal output from a first tier switching module to one or more of the transducer elements in response to a transducer element selection signal.

Hierarchical switching in ultra-high density ultrasound array

A focused ultrasound system includes a transducer array, a controller for providing drive signals to the transducer array, and a switch. The transducer array includes a plurality of 'n' transducer elements, and the controller includes a plurality of 'm' output channels providing sets of drive signals having respective phase shift values, &#x201c;m&#x201d; being less than &#x201c;n.&#x201d; The switch is coupled to the output channels of the controller and to the transducer elements, and is configured for connecting the output channels to respective transducer elements. The controller may assign the transducer elements to respective output channels based upon a size and/or shape of a desired focal zone within the target region, to steer or otherwise move a location of the focal zone, and/or to compensate for tissue aberrations caused by tissue between the transducer array and the focal zone, geometric tolerances and/or impedance variations of the transducer elements.

Acoustic beam forming in phased arrays including large numbers of transducer elements

A method for sensing a disturbance in a transmission path of a converging ultrasound energy beam transmitted by a transducer in a focussed ultrasound system comprises transmitting a burst of ultrasound energy from the transducer, detecting whether a reflected portion of the ultrasound energy burst is received at the transducer within a certain time period following transmission of the burst, and, if so, analyzing the received reflected portion to determine a characteristic of the disturbance.

System and method for sensing and locating disturbances in an energy path of a focused ultrasound system

Systems and methods are provided for positioning a therapy device, such as an ultrasound transducer, using a tilt sensor carried by the transducer and a positioner coupled to the transducer. The positioner provides roll and pitch control as well as translating the transducer in lateral and longitudinal directions. A processor receives signals from the tilt sensor corresponding to the actual rotational orientation of the transducer and controls the positioner to adjust the orientation of the therapy device until a desired position is achieved.

Positioning systems and methods for guided ultrasound therapy systems

Systems and methods for performing a focused ultrasound procedure monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. An MRI system uses a timing sequence for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient's body in response to the RF pulse sequences. A piezoelectric transducer is driven with drive signals such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient's body. Parameters of the drive signals are changed at times during the timing sequence that minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals, e.g., during transmission of RF signals by the MRI system.

Focused ultrasound system with MRI synchronization

Systems and methods for controlling the phase and amplitude of individual drive sinus waves of a phased-array focused ultrasound transducer employ digitally controlled components to scale the amplitude of three or more bases sinuses into component sinus vectors. The component sinus vectors are linearly combined to generate the respective sinus of a selected phase and amplitude. The use of digitally controlled controlled components allows for digitally controlled switching between various distances, shapes and orientations (&ldquo;characteristics&rdquo;) of the focal zone of the transducer. The respective input parameters for any number of possible focal zone characteristics may be stored in a comprehensive table or memory for readily switching between focal zone characteristics in &mgr; seconds. Changes in the output frequency are accomplished without impacting on the specific focal zone characteristics of the transducer output. Sequential changes in the transducer focal zone characteristics are implemented in the form of sequential sets of digital control signals transmitted from the central controller to respective control channels for generating the individual sinus waves. The digital control signals may be changed in accordance with a time-domain function as part of a single thermal dose.

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Haifa, Israel

Avner Ezion