Method and apparatus to control microbubble destruction during contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, and uses therefor
First Claim
1. A quantitative method for enhanced ultrasound imaging of fluid flow or perfusion, wherein gas-filled microbubbles are used as ultrasound contrast-enhancing agents, and wherein the method comprises:
- injecting at least one contrast agent that transits to the area or image plane to be imaged by ultra sound;
generating and transmitting a single-beam ultrasound gated pulse sequence to the image plane, wherein the gated imaging pulse sequence varies in repetition frequency (frame rates) under the control of a data acquisition controller means, distinguishing removal of the contrast agent due to flow resulting from removal of the contrast agent due to bubble destruction for enhanced image processing;
thereby synchronizing and providing acquisition of multiple dilution curves per single injection of said contrast agent(s) resulting from the varied systematic and controlled exposing of the microbubbles to the ultrasound pulses, while maintaining the signal intensity of the pulse at less than high power intensity during transit of the contrast agent(s);
acquiring and digitizing images at each pulse; and
computing changes in image brightness as a function of time during transit of the at least one contrast agent, thereby detecting changes in microbubble concentration within the image plane, independent of flow direction or attenuation of signal by selection of the at least one contrast agent or material within the plane.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling fluid flow or perfusion, wherein gas-filled microbubbles are used as ultrasound contrast-enhancing agents, and wherein the method comprises separating the removal of the contrast agent due to flow from the removal of the contrast agent due to bubble destruction for enhanced imaging processes. By varying exposure of the microbubbles to ultrasound, the method and apparatus apply the changes observed in the images to measure flow and vascularity, to improve visualization of blood flow and blood vessels, and to guide delivery of drugs locally to the site of imaging.
32 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A quantitative method for enhanced ultrasound imaging of fluid flow or perfusion, wherein gas-filled microbubbles are used as ultrasound contrast-enhancing agents, and wherein the method comprises:
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injecting at least one contrast agent that transits to the area or image plane to be imaged by ultra sound;
generating and transmitting a single-beam ultrasound gated pulse sequence to the image plane, wherein the gated imaging pulse sequence varies in repetition frequency (frame rates) under the control of a data acquisition controller means, distinguishing removal of the contrast agent due to flow resulting from removal of the contrast agent due to bubble destruction for enhanced image processing;
thereby synchronizing and providing acquisition of multiple dilution curves per single injection of said contrast agent(s) resulting from the varied systematic and controlled exposing of the microbubbles to the ultrasound pulses, while maintaining the signal intensity of the pulse at less than high power intensity during transit of the contrast agent(s);
acquiring and digitizing images at each pulse; and
computing changes in image brightness as a function of time during transit of the at least one contrast agent, thereby detecting changes in microbubble concentration within the image plane, independent of flow direction or attenuation of signal by selection of the at least one contrast agent or material within the plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device to provide quantitatively enhanced ultrasound images of fluid flow or perfusion using at least one ultrasound contrast agent comprising a plurality of gas-filled microbubbles, wherein the device comprises:
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means for providing controlled flow of a fluid;
means for injecting at least one contrast agent into the fluid flow;
means for generating and transmitting a single-beam ultrasound gated pulse sequence to an image plane, wherein the gated imaging pulse sequence varies in repetition frequency (frame rates) under the control of a data acquisition controller means, to synchronize and provide acquisition of multiple dilution curves per single injection of said contrast agent(s) resulting from the varied systematic and controlled exposure of the microbubbles to the ultrasound pulses, but wherein the signal intensity of the pulse remains at less than high power intensity during transit of the contrast agent(s);
means to acquire and digitize images at each pulse; and
means to compute changes in image brightness as a function of time during transit of the at least one contrast agent, thereby detecting changes in microbubble concentration within the image plane, independent of flow direction or attenuation of signal by selection of the at least one contrast agent or material within the plane. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device to measure fluid flow or perfusion using at least one ultrasound contrast agent comprising a plurality of gas-filled microbubbles, wherein the device comprises:
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computer-readable signal bearing medium;
means in the medium for computing changes in image brightness as a function of time; and
means in the medium for algorithmically distinguishing the effect of removal of the at least one contrast agent due to flow from removal of the contrast agent due to bubble destruction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification