Open-LIFU

Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

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Open-LIFU:
(LOW-INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND)

Openwater’s Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) platform for research.  The platform is flexible, easy-to-use, and can deliver LIFU to targets located nearly anywhere in the head or body. While Open-LIFU 2.0 devices are ready to set up “out of the box”, their open-source design allows customization and modification to support clinical research across diverse users and applications. At the same time, Open-LIFU 2.0’s controlled design features make it an effective solution for developing regulated medical devices that are portable and low-cost. By filling the gap between expensive research hardware available for proof-of-concept studies and commercially manufacturable hardware suitable for regulated medical devices, Open-LIFU 2.0 greatly facilitates the translation of novel therapies from bench to bedside.

Applications in:

Research Spotlight

Webinar: Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation of the Default Mode Network in the Treatment of Depression and Promotion of Wellness

Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT)—including rumination and worry—is a transdiagnostic cognitive process central to major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Elevated RNT is linked to increased connectivity within the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), which supports self-referential thought and is often hyperactive in these conditions.  Emerging evidence suggests that low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (litFUS) may reduce Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) and mood-related symptoms in clinical populations, and also promote emotional wellness in nonclinical groups.

Product Overview

Open-LIFU is Openwater's flexible, easy-to-use Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) platform designed for researching various medical and physiological applications. It allows for customized deployment and supports the development of regulated, portable, and low-cost medical devices. It bridges the gap between research hardware and commercially manufacturable devices, facilitating the translation of novel therapies from bench to bedside.

Key Features

  • Transducers in various form factors with steerable matrix arrays.
  • Sonications controlled by PC software via a USB-connected console.
  • Two-stage targeting for precise LIFU focusing.
  • Open-source design for innovation and modification.
  • Quality controls for regulatory approval compatibility.
  • Modules usable for both research and commercial products.

Intended Use Statement

Open-LIFU 2.0 is for research purposes only, to study the effects of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) in laboratory, pre-clinical, and clinical settings. It is flexible and re-programmable for various sonication and targeting parameters. It is not FDA evaluated and is for research use only.

Open Source

Hardware and software are released under an aGPLv3 open-source license or the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

Safety

This is a safety disclosure for Open-LIFU 2.0 and Open-Motion medical components intended for research purposes. The device has not been FDA reviewed or approved for commercial use. Researchers are advised to exercise caution and obtain informed consent. Adverse events should be reported to safety@openwater.cc.

Target Specifications

Sonication ParametersTransmit Modules

Parameter
Value
Center frequencies
100-500 kHz
Mechanical Index at focus
0-1.9 MI
Pulse length
0-100 ms
Duty Cycle
0-50%
Duration
0-15 minutes
Focusing range (1 module)
3cm (150kHz), 6cm (400kHz)
Focusing range (multi-module)
11cm (deeper possible with more modules)
Apodization
Binary
   
Focal Patterns
Single, Multi (rastered)

 

Parameter
Value
Number of Elements
64 (8x8 grid) per single transducer
Transmit Electronics
On-module
Center frequencies
158kHz, 400kHz
Footprint
4x4 cm
Communication
I2C, TTL
Expansion ports
I2C
Receive Channels
Expansion header

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