Transmissive imaging and related apparatus and methods

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 405 . (canceled) 
     
     
         406 . An ultrasound device, comprising:
 a plurality of ultrasound elements monolithically integrated on a substrate; and   transmit circuitry coupled to the plurality of ultrasound elements, monolithically integrated on the substrate with the plurality of ultrasound elements, and configured to control transmission of ultrasound signals by the plurality of ultrasound elements, the transmit circuitry including at least one waveform generator configurable to produce a chirp, a continuous wave, and a coded excitation.   
     
     
         407 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound elements and the transmit circuitry, including the waveform generator, define a solid state device. 
     
     
         408 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , further comprising a receive circuitry configured to receive an ultrasound signal responsive to a signal transmitted by the transmit circuitry and convert the received ultrasound signal into a digital data stream. 
     
     
         409 . The ultrasound device of  claim 408 , wherein the transmit circuitry, including the waveform generator, and the receive circuitry define a solid state device. 
     
     
         410 . The ultrasound device of  claim 408 , further comprising wireless communication circuitry integrated on the substrate and configured to wirelessly communicate the digital data stream off the ultrasound device. 
     
     
         411 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , wherein at least one ultrasound element defines a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). 
     
     
         412 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate. 
     
     
         413 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , wherein the substrate is conformable to an object into which the ultrasound signals are directed. 
     
     
         414 . The ultrasound device of  claim 406 , further comprising wireless communication circuitry integrated on the substrate and configured to wirelessly communicate ultrasound signals received by the plurality of ultrasound elements off the ultrasound device.