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Bryan Cunitz Engineer IV bwc@apl.washington.edu Phone 206-543-6804 |
Education
B.A. Physics, Colby College, 1999
B.S. Engineering, Dartmouth College, 2000
M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, 2005
Projects
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Radiation Pressure from Ultrasound Helps Kidney Stones Pass A commercial ultrasound imager and a focused ultrasound device are combined to visualize and push a kidney stone from the lower pole of the kidney to the uretropelvic junction to facilitate its passing. |
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Videos
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Burst Wave Lithotripsy: An Experimental Method to Fragment Kidney Stones CIMU researchers are investigating a noninvasive method to fragment kidney stones using ultrasound pulses rather than shock waves. Consecutive acoustic cycles accumulate and concentrate energy within the stone. The technique can be 'tuned' to create small fragments, potentially improving the success rate of lithotripsy procedures. |
20 Nov 2014
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Ultrasonic Detection and Propulsion of Kidney Stones An ultrasound-based system assembled from commercial components and customized software control locates kidney stones, applies an acoustic radiative force, and repositions the stones so they are more likely to pass naturally. Watch urologist test the system. |
2 May 2013
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SonoMotion: A Budding Start-up Company A research team has developed new technologies to treat kidney stone disease with an ultrasound-based system. Embraced by clinicians, their advances are now being taken to the next step: transition the prototype to an approved device that will roll into hospitals and clinics around the world. |
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11 Feb 2013
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At the Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound a team of scientists, engineers, and students has developed an ultrasound-based system that may provide an office procedure to speed the natural passage of kidney stones. The system uses commercial ultrasound components to locate stones in kidneys. It creates clear pictures of them and then applies an acoustic radiative force, repositioning stones in the kidney so they are more likely to pass naturally. |
Publications |
2000-present and while at APL-UW |
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Effect of stone size and composition on ultrasonic propulsion ex vivo Janssen, K.M., T.C. Brand, M.R. Bailey, B.W. Cunitz, J.D. Harper, M.D. Sorensen, and B. Dunmire, "Effect of stone size and composition on ultrasonic propulsion ex vivo," Urology, 111, 225-229, doi:10.1016/j.urology.2017.09.013, 2018. |
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1 Jan 2018 ![]() |
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Objective |
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Characterizing the acoustic output of an ultrasonic propulsion device for urinary stones Cunitz, B.W., B. Dunmire, and M.R. Bailey, "Characterizing the acoustic output of an ultrasonic propulsion device for urinary stones," IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control, 64, 1818-1827, doi:10.1109/TUFFC.2017.2758647, 2017. |
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1 Dec 2017 ![]() |
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A noninvasive ultrasound (US) system to facilitate the passage of small kidney stones has been developed. The device incorporates a software-based US platform programmed with brightness mode and Doppler for visualizing stones, plus long duration focused pulses for repositioning stones using the same transducer. This paper characterizes the acoustic outputs of the ultrasonic propulsion device. Though the application and outputs are unique, measurements were performed based on the regulatory standards for both diagnostic US and extracorporeal lithotripters. The extended length of the pulse, time varying pressure output over the pulse, the use of focused targeting, and the need to regulate the output at shallow depths, however, required modifications to the traditional acoustic measurement methods. Output parameters included spatial-peak intensities, mechanical index (MI), thermal index, pulse energy, focal geometry, and target accuracy. The imaging and Doppler operating modes of the system meet the Food and Drug Administration acoustic power and intensity limits for diagnostic US device. Push mode operates at a maximum MI of 2.2, which is above the limit of 1.9 for diagnostic US, but well below any lithotripsy device and an ISPTA of 548 mW/cm2, which is below the 720-mW/cm2 limit for diagnostic US. |
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Design and characterization of a 2-dimensional focused 1.5-MHz ultrasound array with a compact spiral arrangement of 256 circular elements Sapozhnikov, O., M. Ghanem, A. Maxwell, P. Rosnitskiy, P. Yuldashev, W. Kreider, B. Cunitz, M. Bailey, and V. Khokhlova, "Design and characterization of a 2-dimensional focused 1.5-MHz ultrasound array with a compact spiral arrangement of 256 circular elements," Proc., IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, 6-9 September, Washington, D.C., doi:10.1109/ULTSYM.2017.8092165 (IEEE, 2017). |
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2 Nov 2017 ![]() |
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Multi-element ultrasound arrays are increasingly used in clinical practice for both imaging and therapy. In therapy, they allow electronic steering, aberration correction, and focusing. To avoid grating lobes, an important requirement for such an array is the absence of periodicity in the arrangement of the elements. A convenient solution is the arrangement of the elements along spirals. The objective of this work was to design, fabricate, and characterize an array for boiling histotripsy applications that is capable of generating shock waves in the focus of up to 100 MPa peak pressure while having a reasonable electronic steering range. |
In The News
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Expelling stones with ultrasonic propulsion Nature Reviews Urology, Rebecca Kelsey Ultrasonic propulsion can be used to reposition kidney stones and facilitate the passage of stone fragments, according to a new study. |
17 Nov 2015
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2014 Awards of Excellence recognize campus, community contributions UW News and Information The University of Washington honored the contributions and achievements of faculty, staff, distinguished alumni and top scholars during the 44th annual Awards of Excellence ceremony Thursday, June 12. |
12 Jun 2014
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Doctors using new technology to treat kidney stones KING 5 News (Seattle) Kidney stones: one in five of us will get them at some point, and high protein diets might add to your risk. But doctors are now using 21st century technology to control this ancient condition. |
10 Jan 2014
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Inventions
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Targeting Methods and Devices for Non-invasive Therapy Delivery Record of Invention Number: 48305 Bryan Cunitz, Mike Bailey, Barbrina Dunmire, Michael Kennedy Hall, Adam Maxwell, Matthew Sorenson |
Disclosure
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11 Apr 2018
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Pulse Amplifier for Driving Ultrasound Transducers Patent Number: 9,867,999 Adam Maxwell, Bryan Cunitz, Mike Bailey, Vera Khokhlova, Timothy Hall |
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Patent
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16 Jan 2018
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Embodiments of the invention include improved radiofrequency (RF) pulse amplifier systems that incorporate an energy array comprising multiple capacitors connected in parallel. The energy array extends the maximum length of pulses and the maximum achievable peak power output of the amplifier when compared to similar systems. Embodiments also include systems comprising the amplifier configured to drive a load, wherein the load may include one or more ultrasound (e.g., piezoelectric) transducers Related methods of using the amplifier are also provided. |
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Ultrasound Based Method and Apparatus for Stone Detection and to Facilitate Clearance Thereof Patent Number: 9,597,103 Mike Bailey, John Kucewicz, Barbrina Dunmire, Neil Owen, Bryan Cunitz |
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Patent
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21 Mar 2017
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Described herein are methods and apparatus for detecting stones by ultrasound, in which the ultrasound reflections from a stone are preferentially selected and accentuated relative to the ultrasound reflections from blood or tissue. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for applying pushing ultrasound to in vivo stones or other objects, to facilitate the removal of such in vivo objects. |