Transcranial Blood-Brain Barrier Opening and Power Cavitation Imaging Using a Diagnostic Imaging Array

Abstract

Typically, focused ultrasound (FUS)- mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening requires multiple components that include the therapeutic transducer itself and a separate monitoring technique. Combining the therapeutic transducer and monitoring technique into a single transducer has yet to be shown. In this study, we investigated the use a single diagnostic array for both FUS-mediated BBB opening and cavitation monitoring. Our phantom experiments confirm that using a standard diagnostic transducer, power cavitation images were able to be acquired during focus transmits. These power cavitation images were able to estimate the size of the focus in the imaging plane, which match well with the measurements taken with a hydrophone. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice and non-human primates were performed, with successful transcranial BBB opening and cavitation monitoring in both animal models. BBB opening were confirmed using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, which correlated well with the corresponding power cavitation maps showing high cavitation activity.