Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1762079 | Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology | 2010 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may be transiently achieved via high-frequency focused spherical ultrasound in the presence of microbubbles. In this experimental animal study, we sought to determine whether focal reversible opening of the BBB may be achieved using low-frequency (i.e., 20-30Â kHz) planar ultrasonic waves. In the presence of microbubbles, we were able to obtain BBB opening using non-focused ultrasound irradiation with a frequency as low as 28Â kHz. We also achieved a tight regulation of the ultrasound patterns by using a mechanical scanning device equipped with a pinhole. Histologic examination of the brains supported the feasibility of our system. The areas of BBB disruption obtained with this method were large enough to cover a typical circumscribed cerebral tumor mass. The inherent advantages of our BBB opening method include an improved portability, the possibility to obtain fairly wide areas of BBB opening and a low incidence of hemorrhagic complications. In addition, our system has the potential to reduce the need for image guidance for treating superficial brain lesions. (E-mail: haoliliu@mail.cgu.edu.tw).
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Acoustics and Ultrasonics
Authors
Hao-Li Liu, Chia-Hsin Pan, Cheng-Yu Ting, Ming-Jie Hsiao,