초록 ▼

A method and system is provided for delivering drugs carried by microspheres. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system destroys microspheres in a specific localized area or at a specific time. A region of interest that is a subset of an imaged area is identified for destroying drug-carrying microspher

A method and system is provided for delivering drugs carried by microspheres. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system destroys microspheres in a specific localized area or at a specific time. A region of interest that is a subset of an imaged area is identified for destroying drug-carrying microspheres. The transmit beamformer is configured to transmit acoustic energy for destroying microspheres within that area while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside of the region of interest. A multidimensional transducer array may provide focusing in three-dimensions for accurately destroying microspheres in the specific region while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside that region. A trigger responsive to a heart or breathing cycle may control when microspheres are destroyed, providing delivery of drugs at the most opportune time in the cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An ultrasonic method for delivering drugs with a medical diagnostic ultrasound system, the method comprising the acts of:(a) identifying a region of interest within an image of a target; (b) generating transmit beams of acoustic energy within and outside the region of interest where the target co

1. An ultrasonic method for delivering drugs with a medical diagnostic ultrasound system, the method comprising the acts of:(a) identifying a region of interest within an image of a target; (b) generating transmit beams of acoustic energy within and outside the region of interest where the target comprises microspheres having a drug, the transmit beams within the region of interest adapted for destruction of the microspheres and the transmit beams outside the region of interest adapted for minimizing destruction of the microspheres; and (c) minimizing acoustic energy outside the region of interest.