ACOUSTIC PALPATION USING NON-INVASIVE ULTRASOUND TECHNIQUES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET SITES AND ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN DISORDERS

摘要

Methods and systems for identifying and spatially localizing tissues having certain physiological properties or producing certain biological responses, such as the sensation of pain, in response to the application of intense focused ultrasound (acoustic probing or palpation) are provided. In some embodiments, targeted acoustic probing is employed to identify the scope and severity of chronically painful sensitized tissue areas, and of chronic pain disorders. In other applications, targeted acoustic probing is used to localize nerves and other sensitized tissues for guidance of needles and other delivery devices, and for delivery of anesthetic, analgesic or therapeutic compositions.