Babies, bubbles, and brain disease: An introduction to the Biomedical Acoustics Technical Committee

Abstract

For most folks, ultrasound in medicine is associated with fetal imaging, and it remains among the most widely available and frequently used imaging modalities in the clinic. Recent advances have expanded the capacity of ultrasound imaging to include the ability to quantify mechanical properties of tissue (elastography), microvascular structure (super resolution imaging), perfusion (contrast imaging), and molecular expression such as oxygenation (photo-acoustic imaging). Effective diagnostic information is now possible for targets traditionally avoided by ultrasound imaging, such as lung for COVID-19 diagnoses. Ultrasound energy can also be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Focused sources enable us to ablate malignancies through thermal or mechanical-based mechanisms. A strong tumor immune response has been observed for histotripsy, a bubble-based ablation method, potentiating a means to treat multi-focal disease. Ultrasound-mediated bubble activity enhances drug delivery to improve treatment for thrombo occlusive disease (e.g., heart attack, stroke, venous thrombosis), cancer, and tissue regeneration. Improved drug delivery is also possible in the brain via ultrasound-mediated opening of the blood brain barrier. Separate from drug delivery, ultrasound can induce neuromodulation for the treatment of essential tremor, neuropathic pain, and Parkinson’s disease. Diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound continues to advance the field of medicine, and are integral for improving the outcomes for debilitating diseases.