ENHANCED ULTRASOUND DETECTION WITH TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT CONTRAST AGENTS
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for enhanced ultrasound detection based upon changing temperature and ultrasound reflectivity of a temperature-dependent contrast agent bound to an ultrasound target are disclosed. The methods and devices can be used for enhanced imaging alone or in conjunction with drug delivery, with therapeutic approaches such as hyperthermia or cryotherapy or with other imaging modalities.
33 Citations
67 Claims
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1-53. -53. (canceled)
- 54. A device for measuring changes in temperature of a target having a temperature-sensitive acoustic imaging substance bound thereto, the device comprising a component configured to change the temperature of the acoustic imaging substance, an ultrasound source configured to transmit acoustic energy to the target, an ultrasound detecting component configured to measure acoustic reflectivity of the surface and a comparator which determines acoustic reflectivity of the target upon changing temperature relative to acoustic reflectivity of the target in absence of changing temperature.
Specification