Ultrasound method for enhancing image presentation when contrast agents are used
First Claim
1. A method for providing improved ultrasound images of perfusion of a patient'"'"'s tissue region of interest (ROI) through use of a contrast agent, wherein said tissue ROI is positioned so that ultrasound reflections received by an imaging transducer are affected by an obscuring region that is perfused with said contrast agent, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) administering said contrast agent to said patient'"'"'s circulatory system so that said contrast agent reaches both said obscuring region and said tissue ROI;
b) controlling said ultrasound transducer means to irradiate said contrast agent that enters said obscuring region, with sufficient ultrasound energy to substantially reduce an effect of said contrast agent upon ultrasound transmissions through said obscuring region; and
c) operating said ultrasound transducer means to image said tissue ROI.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved ultrasound images of a patient'"'"'s tissue region of interest (ROI) are achieved through the use of a contrast agent. The method includes the steps of: administering the contrast agent to the patient'"'"'s circulatory system; providing a user interface which enables a user to select a target region within the tissue ROI to be irradiated and to operate an ultrasound transducer to irradiate the selected target region with sufficient ultrasound energy to substantially reduce a backscatter effect of contrast agent that is present therein; and operating an ultrasound transducer to image the tissue ROI. It is preferred that the contrast agent be encapsulated into microbubbles The method is further applicable to selective destruction of encapsulated therapeutics which arrive at a tissue ROI to which the therapeutic is to be administered.
63 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for providing improved ultrasound images of perfusion of a patient'"'"'s tissue region of interest (ROI) through use of a contrast agent, wherein said tissue ROI is positioned so that ultrasound reflections received by an imaging transducer are affected by an obscuring region that is perfused with said contrast agent, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) administering said contrast agent to said patient'"'"'s circulatory system so that said contrast agent reaches both said obscuring region and said tissue ROI; b) controlling said ultrasound transducer means to irradiate said contrast agent that enters said obscuring region, with sufficient ultrasound energy to substantially reduce an effect of said contrast agent upon ultrasound transmissions through said obscuring region; and c) operating said ultrasound transducer means to image said tissue ROI. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An ultrasound method for controlling administration of an encapsulated therapeutic agent to a patient'"'"'s tissue region of interest (ROI), said method comprising the steps of:
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a) administering said encapsulated therapeutic agent to said patient so that said encapsulated therapeutic agent reaches said tissue ROI; and b) operating imaging transducer means (i) to image said tissue ROI, and (ii) to radiate said encapsulated therapeutic agent only within a selected subregion of said tissue ROI that is imaged, with sufficient ultrasound energy to cause a release said therapeutic agent. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An ultrasound apparatus for enabling control of administration of an encapsulated therapeutic agent to a patient'"'"'s tissue region of interest (ROI) when said encapsulated therapeutic agent reaches said tissue ROI, said ultrasound apparatus comprising:
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a) means for operating transducer means to image said tissue ROI; and b) means for controlling said transducer means to radiate said encapsulated therapeutic agent only within a selected subregion of said tissue ROI that is imaged, with sufficient ultrasound energy to cause a release said therapeutic agent. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification