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.

1 - 405 . (canceled) 
     
     
         406 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a support;   a mount physically coupled to the support; and   ultrasound elements physically coupled to the mount;   wherein the mount is moveable relative to the support such that the mount contacts a subject being ultrasonically imaged.   
     
     
         407 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the mount is configured to be moveable relative to the support by sliding. 
     
     
         408 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the support is configured to provide a force directed toward the subject. 
     
     
         409 . The apparatus of  claim 408 , wherein the support is configured, when providing the force directed toward the subject, to provide a compression fit of the mount to the subject. 
     
     
         410 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the support is a rigid support. 
     
     
         411 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the support comprises plastic. 
     
     
         412 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the mount is flexible such that the ultrasound elements conform to the subject. 
     
     
         413 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , further comprising transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry, and wherein the ultrasound elements, the transmitter circuitry, and the receiver circuitry are integrated on a single substrate. 
     
     
         414 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate wireles sly with reconstruction hardware configured to reconstruct ultrasound images of the subject based on ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound elements. 
     
     
         415 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the mount and configured to detect a position and/or orientation of the mount. 
     
     
         416 . The apparatus of  claim 415 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an inclinometer, a range finder, an inertial navigation system, a laser, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an electromagnetic sensor. 
     
     
         417 . The apparatus of  claim 415 , wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate with a remote device configured to determine the position and/or orientation of the mount based on data from the sensor. 
     
     
         418 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the mount based on ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound elements. 
     
     
         419 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , further comprising a bag filled with gel or liquid and coupled to the mount. 
     
     
         420 . The apparatus of  claim 406 , further comprising a bolus comprising a material having substantially a same impedance as that of human tissue and coupled to the mount.