Abstract
Biomedical ultrasound has seen remarkable advances in recent years. By utilizing the properties of nonlinear acoustics, diagnostic ultrasound has shown increased applicability to a wide number of clinical conditions and pathologies. Techniques such as harmonic imaging and the use of ultrasound contrast agents (stabilized microbubbles) have enabled such long-sought goals as noninvasive determination of myocardial perfusion to be clearly within our grasp. Advancements in semiconductor miniaturization have led to the construction of ultrasonic scanners that are now hand-held, and together with telemedicine techniques, it is now reasonable to expect that diagnostic ultrasound will soon be the doctor’s stethoscope. An even more promising future is seen for therapeutic ultrasound. Although the mechanism is not yet clearly understood, ultrasound can transiently permeabilize cell membranes, thus permitting the delivery of therapy to specific sites within the body; indeed, together with drug-carrying ultrasound contrast agents, ‘‘site-specific drug delivery’’ is now in clinical trials. Finally, the application of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound can induce coagulative necrosis at well-controlled sites within tissue. When imaging and therapy are combined, ‘‘image-guided, transcutaneous, bloodless surgery’’ devices are now under development. With acoustics, ‘‘Star Trek medicine’’ is just around the corner.
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