Acoustic characterization of low intensity focused ultrasound system through skull

Background/introduction Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) continues to gain traction in the field of non-invasive neuromodulation. Recent in vivo rat studies suggest that LIFU can be used to modulate region-specific brain activity in the motor cortex, leading investigators to conclude that LIFU may be a better alternative to more prominent, and more invasive, mechanisms of neuromodulation for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, and applications such as drug delivery applications. Despite these recent successes, a comprehensive understanding of beam patterns within the skull remains elusive.