TRANSMISSIVE IMAGING AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS
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 - 390 . (canceled)
391 . A system, comprising:
a first support;
a second support;
a first plurality of ultrasound elements configured as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) elements and physically coupled to the first support and configured as a first source of HIFU;
a second plurality of ultrasound elements configured as ultrasound imaging elements and coupled to the first support and distinct from the first plurality of ultrasound elements;
a third plurality of ultrasound elements configured as HIFU elements and physically coupled to the second support and configured as a second source of HIFU; and
a fourth plurality of ultrasound elements configured as ultrasound imaging elements and coupled to the second support and distinct from the third plurality of ultrasound elements;
wherein the second plurality of ultrasound elements and the fourth plurality of ultrasound elements are configured to operate in combination in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality.
392 . The apparatus of claim 391 , wherein the first support and second support are independently movable.
393 . The apparatus of claim 391 , further comprising control circuitry coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of ultrasound elements and configured to control application of HIFU by the first and third pluralities of ultrasound elements and to control imaging operation of the second and fourth pluralities of ultrasound elements.
394 . The apparatus of claim 391 , further comprising a detector configured to detect relative position and/or orientation of the second plurality of ultrasound elements relative to the fourth plurality of ultrasound elements.
395 . The apparatus of claim 391 , wherein the second and fourth pluralities of ultrasound elements each include at least twenty-five ultrasound elements.
396 - 405 . (canceled)