Time-reversal acoustics in biomedical engineering

Time reversal is a very powerful method for focusing through complex and heterogeneous media and shows very promising results in biomedical applications. In this paper, we review some of the main applications investigated during the past decade. An iterative implementation of the time-reversal process allows tracking gallstones in real time during lithotripsy treatments. In this application domain, a smart exploitation of the reverberations in solid waveguides permits the focusing of high-amplitude ultrasonic shock waves with a small number of transducers. Finally, because time reversal is able to correct the strong distortions induced by the skull bone on ultrasonic propagation, this adaptive focusing technique is very promising for ultrasonic hyperthermia brain therapy.