Ultrasound in the Future

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Some exciting examples of recent developments in ultrasound are:

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Treating liver tumours:

Traditionally, tumours would be removed surgically and then if any remaining malignant tissue is left, these cells would be treated with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

Now, liver tumours can be destroyed without having to use surgical intervention, and instead targeted ultrasound waves can be used (as shown in Fig.1 on the right). The waves are emitted by over 1000 micro-emitters, and they cauterize the tissue inside the body. [1]

This procedure is not easy, because the liver moves as the patient breathes, so they must be sedated during the procedure, and the liver sits behind the rib cage, so great care must be taken to not damage the ribs. By pairing real-time MRI imaging with this ultrasound technique, invasive surgery can be avoided entirely.

 

Bone healing:

Broken bones, on their own, can take anywhere between 3 and 10 weeks to heal. Studies have shown that using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can increase healing rate by anywhere from 24 percent up to 42 percent [1], when applied to fresh fractures. The ultrasond pulses promote healing of the broken bone by improving the production of calcium [2], which makes up 32% of bone [3]. A new, 3D printed 'mesh' cast has been developed which can be custom-fitted to someone's arm, is well-ventilated, waterproof, and is also a snap-together design which can be easily removed. A LIPUS generator attaches to the cast and sends pulses of ultrasound into the affected area, helping the break to heal faster [4]. This cast can be seen in Fig. 2 on the right.

 

Neurological treatments:

Professor Vince Clark at The University of New Mexico’s Psychology Clinical Neuroscience Center conducted some research which found that ultrasound waves can be used to modulate brain activity, whilst being completely non-invasive [5]. Clark found that two minutes of ultrasonic imaging (just like the type used for imaging other parts of the body) to the head produced around eight minutes of enhanced brain activity.

In the future this could be a new way to research brain function, and enhance our use of the brain, hopefully one day being used to treat common brain and mental illnesses. Clark estimates that this technique to treat the brain could start being used in as little as ten years.

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References:

[1] https://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-medicine/2017/04/18/the-future-high-tech-impacts-of-ultrasound-in-health-care/ (accessed 25/02/19)

[2] Della Rocca GJ. The science of ultrasound therapy for fracture healing. Indian J Orthop. 2009;43:121–126

[3] https://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=15392 (accessed 26/02/19)

[4] https://www.thecoolist.com (accessed 26/02/19)

[5] https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-ultrasound-imaging-future-neurological-treatments.html (accessed 26/02/19)