Emboli detection in the brain using a transcranial doppler photoacoustic device capable of vasculature and perfusion measurement

A method for detecting emboli in the brain and sending the relevant data to a remote site which comprises, in combination:

• configuring an ultrasound array to transmit a beam pattern sufficient to isonate a region of interest at an internal site of a subject;
• finding, creating, and displaying maps or images of said region of interest;
• identifying acute occlusion or stenosis in major brain and neck arteries;
• wirelessly transmitting data identified to a remote site;
• and
• wirelessly receiving information about data identified from the remote site at the site of the subject where the device is being used.

A method of configuring an ultrasound array to transmit a beam pattern sufficient to insonate a region of interest at an internal site of a subject, said method comprising, in combination:

• a) providing an array of ultrasound transducer elements;
• b) outputting a beam pattern from said array of ultrasound transducer elements to insonate a region of interest at an internal site in a body sufficiently large that the beam pattern comprises a multi-beam pattern,
• insonating multiple receiver elements over a substantially simultaneous period by directing energy produced by said array of ultrasound transducer elements into said region of interest in said body, and
• adjusting an amplitude of energy output by said array of transducers to cause the beam pattern output to have a generally flat upper pattern and nulling in a grating lobe region;
• and,
• c) introducing a phase shift of the beam pattern output from said array of ultrasound transducer elements, wherein a degree of phase shift increases as a distance increases from a central output area of said array of ultrasound transducer elements.

A method of configuring an ultrasound array to transmit a beam pattern sufficient to insonate a region of interest at an internal site of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an array of ultrasound transducer elements;
• b) outputting a beam pattern from said array of ultrasound transducer elements to insonate a region of interest at an internal site in a body sufficiently large that the beam pattern comprises a multi-beam pattern,
• insonating multiple receiver elements over a substantially simultaneous period by directing energy produced by said array of ultrasound transducer elements into said region of interest in said body, and
• adjusting an amplitude of energy output by said array of transducers to cause the beam pattern output to have a generally flat upper pattern and nulls in a grating lobe region;
• and,
• c) introducing a phase shift of the beam pattern output from said array of ultrasound transducer elements, wherein a degree of phase shift increases as a distance increases from a central output area of said array of ultrasound transducer elements.

A method for operating an array of ultrasound transducer elements, wherein:

• the element spacing in the array is greater than, equal to or less than a half wavelength of the ultrasound energy produced by the elements, and
• wherein the array is used differently in transmit and receive modes, comprising:
• forming a transmit beam from a position external to a region of interest encompassing a plurality of receive beams and initially acquiring a signal by insonating a target region comprising multiple receive beam positions over a substantially simultaneous period;
• receiving data from the multiple receive beam positions of the array;
• combining the received data in a processor;
• locking onto the receive beam and the point(s) producing a peak signal;
• and
• correcting for motions in the target region by periodically forming multiple receive beams and re-acquiring the peak signal.

A method to detect prostate cancer, comprising, in combination:

• injecting ICN-pSMA molecule to the prostate area which combines with the surface of Prostate Cancer cells, and liberates ICN in the process;
• insonating the prostate and the adjacent vicinity with energy from a phased array Doppler device;
• insonating the prostate and the adjacent vicinity with energy from a photoacoustic device;
• and
• detecting the spectrum of a plurality of ICN molecules in the region of the Cancer.