Transcranial Pulse Stimulation with Ultrasound in Alzheimer's Disease-A New Navigated Focal Brain Therapy.

Ultrasound-based brain stimulation techniques may become a powerful new technique to modulate the human brain in a focal and targeted manner. However, for clinical brain stimulation no certified systems exist and the current techniques have to be further developed. Here, a clinical sonication technique is introduced, based on single ultrashort ultrasound pulses (transcranial pulse stimulation, TPS) which markedly differs from existing focused ultrasound techniques.

Potential of shock waves to remove calculus and biofilm.

Effective calculus and biofilm removal is essential to treat periodontitis. Sonic and ultrasonic technologies are used in several scaler applications. This was the first feasibility study to assess the potential of a shock wave device to remove calculus and biofilms and to kill bacteria.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in inflammatory diseases: molecular mechanism that triggers anti-inflammatory action.

Shock waves (SW), defined as a sequence of single sonic pulses characterised by high peak pressure (100 MPa), a fast rise in pressure (< 10 ns) and a short lifecycle (10 micros), are conveyed by an appropriate generator to a specific target area at an energy density ranging from 0.03 to 0.11 mJ/mm(2).

Shock waves activate in vitro cultured progenitors and precursors of cardiac cell lineages from the human heart.

Postischemic cardiomyopathy remains one of the disorders in urgent need of effective noninvasive therapy. It is currently accepted that the isolation, expansion and application of resident cardiac stem cells may hold therapeutic promise for the future. Recently, it has been demonstrated that shock waves (SW) could enhance the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, Flt-1.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for the targeted destruction of uterine tissues: experiences from a pilot study using a mobile HIFU unit.

Background: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a novel method which offers the non-invasive ablation of tissues without harming overlying organs or skin. It has been introduced successfully in urology for the ablation of prostatic hyperplasia and seems to be promising in the treatment of uterine fibroids. In this study we aimed to examine the feasibility and possible side effects of HIFU treatment of uterine tissues using an experimental mobile HIFU unit with ultrasound guidance.

A new electromagnetic shock-wave generator "SLX-F2" with user-selectable dual focus size: ex vivo evaluation of renal injury.

Storz Medical AG (Kreutzlingen/Switzerland) has developed a new electromagnetic shockwave (SW) generator, the "SLX-F2", which allows the user to choose between a small-focus, high-pressure treatment regime or a wide-focus, low-pressure option. The aim of this study was to investigate, under standardized conditions, the impact of these two different treatment regimes on SW-induced renal injury. SW-induced renal injury was investigated by using the standardized model of the perfused ex vivo kidney.

Ablation of clinically relevant kidney tissue volumes by high-intensity focused ultrasound: Preliminary results of standardized ex-vivo investigations.

Purpose: To investigate strategies to achieve confluent kidney-tissue ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Materials And Methods: Our model of the perfused ex-vivo porcine kidney was used. Tissue ablation was performed with an experimental HIFU device (Storz Medical, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland).

Extracorporeally induced ablation of renal tissue by high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Objective: To investigate the safety and the effects on healthy renal tissue of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) applied extracorporeally.

Patients, Materials And Methods: Ultrasound waves (1.04 MHz) created by a cylindrical piezo-ceramic element were focused by a parabolic reflector to a physical focus size of 32 x 4 mm (-6 dB).

Nitric oxide mediates anti-inflammatory action of extracorporeal shock waves.

Here, we show that extracorporeal shock waves (ESW), at a low energy density value, quickly increase neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity and basal nitric oxide (NO) production in the rat glioma cell line C6. In addition, the treatment of C6 cells with ESW reverts the decrease of nNOS activity and NO production induced by a mixture of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Finally, ESW treatment efficiently downregulates NF-kappaB activation and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression, including inducible NOS and TNF-alpha.

Multiple high-intensity focused ultrasound probes for kidney-tissue ablation.

Background And Purpose: To investigate kidney-tissue ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) using multiple and single probes.

Materials And Methods: Ultrasound beams (1.75 MHz) produced by a piezoceramic element (focal distance 80 mm) were focused at the center of renal parenchyma.

Extracorporeal application of high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostatic tissue ablation.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal prostatic tissue ablation using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in vivo in animals, and in a clinical feasibility study in men, as this is an investigational minimally invasive treatment alternative for locally confined prostatic carcinoma, but may have significant side-effects.

Patients, Materials And Methods: Ultrasound (1.04 MHz excitation frequency) was generated by an extracorporeal cylindrical piezo-ceramic element and focused by a paraboloidal reflector to a focal size of 32 x 4 mm.

Extracorporeal shock waves: from lithotripsy to anti-inflammatory action by NO production.

At low energy density (0.03 mJ/mm2), extracorporeal shock waves (ESW), originally developed for clinical lithotripsy, have successfully been used for anti-inflammatory treatment of soft tissues. Since nitric oxide plays a critical role in inflammation, we hypothesized for ESW to increase NO production in cells.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for ex vivo kidney tissue ablation: influence of generator power and pulse duration.

Background And Purpose: The therapeutic application of noninvasive tissue ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) requires precise physical definition of the focal size and determination of control parameters. The objective of this study was to measure the extent of ex-vivo porcine kidney tissue ablation at variable generator parameters and to identify parameters to control lesion size.

Materials And Methods: The ultrasound waves generated by a cylindrical piezoceramic element (1.

High intensity focused ultrasound as noninvasive therapy for multilocal renal cell carcinoma: case study and review of the literature.

Purpose: Noninvasive tumor ablation can be achieved by extracorporeally induced high intensity focused ultrasound. Clinical high intensity focused ultrasound performed to date for renal tumors have only been experimental in nature. We present specific details on a patient with renal cell carcinoma who underwent high intensity focused ultrasound with curative intent and long-term followup examinations.