University of Michigan

Other

Histosonics, Inc.

University of Washington

Timothy L Hall

Zhen Xu

Charles A Cain

William W Roberts

J Brian Fowlkes

Adam D Maxwell

Dejan Teofilovic

Matthew N O'Donnell

Thomas W Davison

Michael R Bailey

Vera Khokhlova

Bryan Cunitz

Jonathan M Cannata

Russell Witte

Jonathan Sukovich

Ragnar Olafsson

Michael Thomas Kusner, Jr

Sheng-Wen Huang

Ali H Aldoukhi

Khurshid R Ghani

Jonathan Jenner Macoskey

Yohan Kim

Michael Thomas Kusner

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for treating a kidney stone. In particular, provided herein are suction devices, laser systems, and related methods for use in treating a kidney stone.

Device, systems, and methods for treating a kidney stone

A histotripsy therapy system configured for the treatment of tissue is provided, which may include any number of features. Provided herein are systems and methods that provide efficacious non-invasive and minimally invasive therapeutic, diagnostic and research procedures. In particular, provided herein are optimized systems and methods that provide targeted, efficacious histotripsy in a variety of different regions and under a variety of different conditions without causing undesired tissue damage to intervening/non-target tissues or structures.

Ultrasound transducer with transmit-receive capability for histotripsy

Methods and devices for producing cavitation in tissue are provided. In one embodiment, a shock scattering method of Histotripsy therapy comprises delivering an initiation pressure waveform from an ultrasound therapy transducer into tissue, the initiation pressure waveform being configured to produce at least one bubble in the tissue, delivering a scattering pressure waveform from the ultrasound therapy transducer into the at least one bubble within a life-cycle of the at least one bubble, and producing cavitation nuclei near the at least one bubble with the scattering pressure waveform. The scattering pressure waveform can be delivered during the life-cycle of the at least one bubble. In some embodiments, the scattering pressure waveform is delivered within 5 &#x3bc;s to 1 s of the initiation pressure waveform. Systems for performing shock scattering Histotripsy therapy are also discussed.

Histotripsy excitation sequences optimized for bubble cloud formation using shock scattering

A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can image a target tissue volume and apply ultrasound energy to the target tissue volume. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured controllably apply ultrasound energy into the prostate by maintaining a cavitational bubble cloud generated by an ultrasound therapy system within an image of the prostate generated by an imaging system. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.

Automated control of micromanipulator arm for histotripsy prostate therapy while imaging via ultrasound transducers in real time

A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.

Ultrasound lithotripsy and histotripsy for using controlled bubble cloud cavitation in fractionating urinary stones

Embodiments of the invention include improved radiofrequency (RF) pulse amplifier systems that incorporate an energy array comprising multiple capacitors connected in parallel. The energy array extends the maximum length of pulses and the maximum achievable peak power output of the amplifier when compared to similar systems. Embodiments also include systems comprising the amplifier configured to drive a load, wherein the load may include one or more ultrasound (e.g., piezoelectric) transducers Related methods of using the amplifier are also provided.

Pulse amplifier for driving ultrasound transducers

Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.

Pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy

An ultrasound therapy system is provided that can include any number of features. In some embodiments, the custom transducer housings can be manufactured using a rapid-prototyping method to arrange a plurality of single-element, substantially flat transducers to share a common focal point. The rapid-prototyping method can include, for example, fused-deposition modeling, 3D printing, and stereolithography. In some embodiments, the therapy system can include a plurality of transducer modules insertable into the openings of the transducer housing. Methods of manufacture are also described, including designing a transducer housing shell to a desired geometry and a plurality of acoustic focusing lenses integral to the transducer housing shell in a 3D computer aided design software, and constructing the transducer housing shell and the plurality of acoustic focusing lenses integral to the transducer housing shell using a rapid-prototyping method.

Method of manufacturing an ultrasound system

An ultrasound system that detects a characteristic of an ultrasound wave. The system includes a circuit member defining a sensing portion operable to be exposed to the ultrasound wave. The system also includes a current generating device that generates a current in the sensing portion of the circuit member. Furthermore, the system includes a voltage sensor that detects a voltage across the sensing portion due to the exposure to the ultrasound wave to thereby detect the characteristic of the ultrasound wave.

Acoustic sensor utilizing acoustoelectric effect

A therapy device for conducting rehabilitative exercises that includes a base having a receptacle. A standard is capable of being positioned in the receptacle in a substantially vertical position and has a plurality of adjustable arms slidably mounted on it. A locking mechanism is used to secure the standard in the vertical position. Each arm has means for being slidably mounted to the standard and a locking mechanism for fixing the arm at a height along the vertical, longitudinal axis of the standard. Each arm also includes a fastening means for removably securing occupational therapy exercise items, such as hooks, rings, and other items. The base of the therapy device include a slot for receiving the standard and may be shaped and sized to resemble an attache or brief case and to include a handle and one or more bins for holding occupational therapy exercise items. The bin may be compartmentalized and have a lid to secure exercise items therein. A locking mechanism may be mounted on the base so that the standard may be secured within the slot. So secured, the base and standard may be transported by grasping and moving the device by means of the handle. Once at a desired location, the device may be assembled by removing the standard from the slot, placing it in the receptacle, and positioning the arms on the standard. A variety of exercises may be accomplished by using the arms as platforms for the exercise items secured within the bin.

Portable occupational therapy device

A purposeful exercise device including a frame; a pump mounted on the frame; and a work-adjusting mechanism movably borne by the frame and disposed in force-transmitting relation relative to the pump. The pump has a handle which is moveable along a path of travel from a first or fluid withdrawing position to a second or fluid exhausting position. The work-adjusting mechanism permits a patient or operator to selectively adjust the amount of work performed when moving the pump handle from the fluid withdrawing position to the fluid exhausting position or vice versa.

Exercise pump device

A support for a basket during weaving is disclosed. The support has a frame made up of a first column and a second column. A basket mold is supported on the first column and a foam rubber pad is rotatably supported on the second column. A hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod attached to the foam pad. The pad holds a basket bottom, having warp and weave members nailed to the basket bottom, to the basket mold. The basket can than be woven, the top handle installed and the completed basket removed from the mold.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Timothy L Hall