초록 ▼

An ultrasound system for continuous imaging and for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises a housing secured to a patient's body, a transducer mounted within the housing, means for controlling the transducer to insonify the drug carrier with an ultrasonic signal and to

An ultrasound system for continuous imaging and for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises a housing secured to a patient's body, a transducer mounted within the housing, means for controlling the transducer to insonify the drug carrier with an ultrasonic signal and to thereby cause the release of the agent, and means for processing an ultrasonic echo signal to produce an image. Also, a method for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises the steps of measuring a physiological parameter of a patient based on an ultrasonic echo signal, comparing the physiological parameter to a threshold, and transmitting an ultrasonic signal to insonify the carrier and thereby cause the release of the agent from the carrier in accord with the measured physiological parameter.

대표청구항 ▼

An ultrasound system for continuous imaging and for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises a housing secured to a patient's body, a transducer mounted within the housing, means for controlling the transducer to insonify the drug carrier with an ultrasonic signal and to

An ultrasound system for continuous imaging and for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises a housing secured to a patient's body, a transducer mounted within the housing, means for controlling the transducer to insonify the drug carrier with an ultrasonic signal and to thereby cause the release of the agent, and means for processing an ultrasonic echo signal to produce an image. Also, a method for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises the steps of measuring a physiological parameter of a patient based on an ultrasonic echo signal, comparing the physiological parameter to a threshold, and transmitting an ultrasonic signal to insonify the carrier and thereby cause the release of the agent from the carrier in accord with the measured physiological parameter. system varies the length of the optical path from said coupler to the object via said first light guide relative to the length of the optical path from said coupler to said mirror via said second light guide by moving said mirror in a direction parallel to the central axis of the tip of said second light guide. 3. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing system forms a tomogram of the object based on the signal output by said detector when said optical path length adjusting system periodically varies the length of the optical path from said coupler to the object via said first light guide relative to the length of the optical path from said coupler to said mirror via said second light guide, and when said scanning unit operates. 4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing system forms a tomogram when said optical path length adjusting system sequentially varies the length of the optical path from said coupler to the object via said first light guide relative to the length of the optical path from said coupler to said mirror via said second light guide for each scanning position. 5. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising: a visible light source; an excitation light source; a light source switching system that selectively introduces the light emitted by said visible light source and said excitation light source to said illuminating optical system, wherein said objective optical system forms a normal light image of the object when the visible light is introduced to said illuminating optical system, and wherein said objective optical system forms a fluorescent light image of the object when the excitation light is introduced to said illuminating optical system. 6. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said low-coherent light source includes a super high intensity light emitting diode. 7. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising a display system for displaying an image of the surface of the object captured by said image capturing system and the tomogram of the object obtained by said signal processing system. 8. The endoscope system according to claim 1, said optical path length adjusting system varies the length of the optical path from said coupler to the object via said first light guide relative to the length of the optical path from said coupler to said mirror via said second light guide by moving said mirror in a direction parallel to the central axis of the tip of said second light guide. 9. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising: a visible light source; an excitation light source; a light source switching system that selectively introduces the light emitted by said visible light source and said excitation light source to said illuminating optical system, wherein said objective optical system forms a normal light image of the object when the visible light is introduced to said illuminating optical system, and wherein said objective optical system forms a fluorescent light image of the object when the excitation light is introduced to said illuminating optical system. 10. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising a display system for displaying an image of the surface of the object captured by said image capturing system and the tomogram of the object obtained by said signal processing system.