University of Washington

Other

Verasonics, Inc.

Peter John Kaczkowski

Roy W Martin

Lawrence A Crum

Shahram Vaezy

Michael R Bailey

Andrew Hollis Proctor

Stephen J Carter

Michael Gaps

W Scott Helton

George W Keilman

Oleg A Sapozhnikov

Neil R Owen

John Kucewicz

Francesco P Curra

John J Flynn

Ronald Elvin Daigle

Lauren S Pflugrath

Gregory Paul Darlington

George Woodrow Keilman

Vera Khokhlova

Wayne Kreider

Bryan Cunitz

Justin Reed

Stuart B Mitchell

Barbrina Dunmire

Lee David Dunbar

Wei Lu

Paul Illian

Anup Shah

Marla Paun

Ajay Anand

Brian J Pflugrath

Adrian Prokop

Misty Noble

An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which a method of producing a Doppler velocity image is accomplished by emitting unfocused acoustic signals into a medium over substantially an entire field; receiving scattered and reflected ultrasonic signals on a transducer array in response to the emission; processing the received ultrasonic signals to extract information to construct a Doppler velocity signal corresponding to at least one point in the medium; and generating on a display device the Doppler velocity image from the processed Doppler velocity signal. Acquisition sequences and signal processing algorithms are described that provide improved quantification of fluid flow parameters, including improved discrimination between regions of blood flow and tissue. Very high frame rate Spectral Doppler and Vector Doppler acquisition modes for real-time and post-acquisition visualization over a large field of view are described.

High frame rate quantitative doppler flow imaging using unfocused transmit beams

The present technology is generally directed to filtering systems and methods for suppression of reverberation artifacts in ultrasound images. In some embodiments, a method of obtaining a filtered ultrasound image includes taking a first ultrasound image of a target tissue using an applicator. At least a portion of the applicator is moved such that the reverberation artifact ultrasound path length changes relative to the first position of the applicator. A second ultrasound image of the target tissue is then taken. The first and second ultrasound images are synthesized using at least one filtering method. The filtering method attenuates or removes reverberation artifacts in the synthesized ultrasound image.

Filtering systems and methods for supression of non-stationary reverberation in ultrasound images

A method and system for generating arbitrary ultrasonic waveforms using a tri-state transmitter. Three variants of the device are described to provide functionality in three usage scenarios.

Method and system for arbitrary waveform generation using a tri-state transmit pulser

The present technology relates generally to portable acoustic holography systems for therapeutic ultrasound sources, and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, a method of characterizing an ultrasound source by acoustic holography includes the use of a transducer geometry characteristic, a transducer operation characteristic, and a holography system measurement characteristic. A control computer can be instructed to determine holography measurement parameters. Based on the holography measurement parameters, the method can include scanning a target surface to obtain a hologram. Waveform measurements at a plurality of points on the target surface can be captured. Finally, the method can include processing the measurements to reconstruct at least one characteristic of the ultrasound source.

Portable acoustic holography systems for therapeutic ultrasound sources and associated devices and methods

Described herein are methods and apparatus for detecting stones by ultrasound, in which the ultrasound reflections from a stone are preferentially selected and accentuated relative to the ultrasound reflections from blood or tissue. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for applying pushing ultrasound to in vivo stones or other objects, to facilitate the removal of such in vivo objects.

Ultrasound based method and apparatus for stone detection and to facilitate clearance thereof

High intensity ultrasound (HIU) is used to facilitate surgical procedures, such as a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, with minimal bleeding. An apparatus is configured to emit HIU from one or more transducers that are attached to a minimally invasive surgical instrument. Such a tool preferably can provide sufficient clamping pressure to collapse blood vessels' walls, so that they will be sealed by the application of the HIU, and by the resulting thermal ablation and tissue cauterization. Such an instrument can provide feedback to the user that the lesion is completely transmural and that blood flow to the region distal of the line of thermal ablation has ceased. Similar instruments having opposed arms can be configured for use in conventional surgical applications as well. Instruments can be implemented with transducers on only one arm, and an ultrasound reflective material disposed on the other arm.

Method and apparatus for preparing organs and tissues for laparoscopic surgery

Multilayer ultrasound transducer devices for high power transmission and wide-band reception and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transducer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a first array of first transducers and a second array of second transducers that are oriented substantially parallel to one another. The first transducers can include a first piezoelectric material that is configured to transmit acoustic waves, and the second transducers can include a second piezoelectric material that is configured to receive echoes from the acoustic waves. The ultrasound transducer device can further include an electrical connection layer between the first and second arrays that is electrically coupled to the first and second transducers.

Multilayer ultrasound transducer devices for high power transmission and wide-band reception and associated systems and methods

Ultrasound data are collected from a thermal source and a mass of tissue before initiating therapy to measure two parameters of the bio-heat transfer equation (BHTE). The parameters are the thermal diffusivity (K) of the tissue and the magnitude of the thermal source (Q). Once the parameters have been obtained, the BHTE can be calibrated to the specific mass of tissue and the specific thermal source. The calibrated BHTE can be used to generate a temperature dependence curve calibrated to the thermal source and tissue, and spatio-temporal temperature maps, to facilitate pre-therapy planning. During therapy, ultrasound data are collected to determine if Q changes during therapy, and if so, the BHTE is recalibrated using the new Q value, increasing an accuracy of the temperature estimations.

Non-invasive temperature estimation technique for HIFU therapy monitoring using backscattered ultrasound

The present invention employs hydrogels as acoustic couplings for clinical applications of ultrasound imaging and therapy, but is particularly applicable to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) based therapy. While other materials can be used, it has been determined that polyacrylamide is sufficiently robust and transmissive to withstand the high temperatures encountered in HIFU therapy. One embodiment of a hydrogel coupling is configured in shape and size (length) to ensure that a focal region of an ultrasound transducer is disposed proximate the target area when the distal tip of the transducer is in contact with tissue. These couplings can be shaped to correspond to the beam focus characteristics of specific transducers. Water can be applied to hydrate the tip of the hydrogel coupling during use, and medication absorbed into the hydrogel material can be applied to the tissue in contact with the distal surface of the hydrogel.

Solid hydrogel coupling for ultrasound imaging and therapy

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound (&ldquo;HIFU&rdquo;) is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as &ldquo;presurgical volume cauterization.&rdquo; In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

Method and apparatus for medical procedures using high-intensity focused ultrasound

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound ('HIFU') is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as 'presurgical volume cauterization.' In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

Method and apparatus for medical procedures using high-intensity focused

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Peter John Kaczkowski