Polymeric Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsions are Ultrasound-activated Wireless Drug Infusion Catheters
A collaborative group of researchers from Stanford University, the University of California, Davis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Massachusetts General Hospital sought to determine whether focused ultrasound could be used to precisely deliver drugs carried in nanoparticles as an alternative to currently available catheter-based intra-arterial drug therapies for oncologic, neurologic, and cardiovascular applications. The first step in exploring this possibility was to determine whether the nanoparticles had generalized drug loading and stability properties. Did the polymeric perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions that they used work in the focused ultrasound setting with a wide variety of drugs in a manner that could be translated to a clinical setting? See Biomaterials >
An innovative research group from Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea sought to develop a novel technique to measure the temperature at the site of focused ultrasound delivery. The group was interested in using photoacoustic thermometry but recognized its limitations within the focused ultrasound environment. To address those issues, the team designed and tested a novel, real-time system that incorporated ultrasound B-mode imaging, photoacoustic structural imaging, and photoacoustic thermometry. Could their novel configuration improve safety, efficacy, and the treatment planning process? See IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering >