Biomedical Acoustics: Making a quantum leap in medicine

Abstract

At the dawn of a new era in medicine, the future of biomedical acoustics is bright. In the last century, we witnessed the introduction of ultrasound contrast agents, lithotripsy, and the visualization of ultrasound images in three dimensions. Currently, scientists are developing acoustic-based techniques for opening the blood–brain barrier transiently in order to treat brain tumors and neurological diseases. Additionally, researchers are developing echogenic liposomes and microbubbles for targeted ultrasound image enhancement and drug and gene delivery. Further excitement has been generated by the advances made with focused ultrasound to ablate or mechanically erode solid tumors in a noninvasive and site-specific manner. As technology and protocols continue to evolve, biomedical acoustics will have a dramatic impact on the diagnosis and treatment of debilitating diseases, thus improving patient care and quality of life.