Microbubble Technology for Ultrasound

Microbubble technology for ultrasound is a medical solution that supports minimally invasive surgery practices and procedures. Such procedures avoid the need for and the risk associated with traditional surgery, resulting in a faster recovery and lower cost. For this reason, microbubble technology for ultrasound is a promising technology.

Identification

• During minimally invasive surgery, physicians cannot use their own eyes. They need real-time imaging technology. Microbubbles along with ultrasound technology work together to provide the necessary imaging solution.

Function

• Microbubbles are tiny, microscopic reflective devices with the ability to reflect ultrasound waves to the point where, when ultrasound waves are applied to an area of the body where microbubbles are located, they serve as a non-invasive visual access point for physicians. Ultrasound is a safe and proven radiology technology which can be adapted to serve in a real-time surgery imaging capacity. The microbubbles are administered intravenously.

Considerations

• As of 2008, ultrasound microbubble technology was still in the research and development stage. Some research considerations were how to get site-specific radiological enhancement of the surgery area, and how to efficiently inject microbubbles into the body.