Cranial acoustic coupling apparatus and methods
Cranial acoustic coupling apparatuses and methods to improve coupling to the head for use in transcranial focused ultrasound systems (tFUS) are disclosed. The apparatuses are constructed using multiple components and layers to reduce the air gaps due to head curvature and smaller-scale features such as dimples, hair, and so on. An apparatus or system can include a holder unit and an attachment puck. The holder unit can include one or more ultrasound transducers. The attachment puck can include an attachment layer that interfaces with a head.
1 . A system comprising:
a holder unit comprising one or more ultrasound transducers; and
an attachment puck comprising at least one layer, wherein at least one of the holder unit or the attachment puck comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and wherein the LEDs comprise at least one of: indicator neuro-navigational indicator LEDs, neuro-navigational marker LEDs, or LEDs that are controlled to affect a property of a liquid or gel, wherein the attachment puck further comprises a permeable outer membrane that is tear resistant and slows liquid flow, a hydrogel comprising microscopic holes, and one or more sponges comprising one or more air gaps between the one or more sponges, wherein when pressure is applied, a liquid held in the one or more sponges oozes out to fill the air gaps.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer is configured to interface with a head.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the attachment puck comprises a curve concave to the head.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the attachment puck comprises a circular shape, a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, a curved shape, or a combination of multiple shapes.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an electroencephalogram (EEG) component, wherein the EEG component is utilized to monitor efficacy of an ultrasound treatment provided using the one or more ultrasound transducers.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holder unit, or the attachment puck comprises a mesh located relative to a liquid or gel.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the mesh affects a property of a liquid or gel by at least one of: thermal conduction, generating heat, or generating an electrical field.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein a shape of at least a portion of the attachment puck matches a predetermined shape of the head.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment puck comprises at least one of an O-ring or a gasket that provides at least a partial seal to a head that prevents at least a portion of a liquid or gel from escaping an area defined based at least in part by the O-ring or the gasket.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one electromagnet that affects magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid or gel.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles comprise at least one of: spherical nanoparticles, rod-shaped nanoparticles, spherical nanoshell nanoparticles, or rod-shaped nanoshell nanoparticles.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment puck comprises at least one of: a liquid, a gel, or a hydrogel.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the liquid, the gel, or the hydrogel of the attachment puck are responsive to one or more energy stimuli comprising at least one of: temperature, light, pressure, magnetic field, or electric field.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the attachment puck comprises channels that deliver the at least one of: the liquid, the gel, or the hydrogel to a head.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the attachment puck comprises a fluid bag that contains the at least one of: the liquid, the gel, or the hydrogel.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the fluid bag is ultrasound transmitting or flexible.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the attachment puck further comprises:
an outer shell that provides rigidity;
a silicone or adhesive layer in contact with the holder unit;
an ultrasound transmitting solid layer that is acoustically matched to soft tissue; and
a head interfacing layer comprising at least one of soft silicone, hydrogel, or adhesive to attach the fluid bag.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the fluid bag comprises one or more support membranes that are configured for attachment to the outer shell.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holder unit, or the attachment puck comprises a thermal regulation system that regulates a temperature of a liquid or gel based on a target temperature for the liquid or gel.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the thermal regulation system comprises a Peltier cooler.
21 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment puck is detachably attached to the holder unit using at least one of: a clasp, a snap-fit, screws, or double-sided adhesives.
22 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment puck is reusable or refurbishable.
23 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of screws or springs, wherein an operation of the at least one of the screws or the springs causes a controlled pressure that applies a liquid or gel to a head.
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein another operation of the at least one of the screws or springs causes a negative pressure that removes at least a portion of the liquid or gel from the head.
25 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sponges comprise air pocket within holes within the one or more sponges.