Blood-brain barrier opening and cavitation imaging using a single diagnostic imaging array
This technology is a method that uses focused ultrasound (FUS) and simultaneous cavitation imaging to open the blood-brain barrier in targeted brain regions using a single diagnostic ultrasound array for both treatment and monitoring.
Unmet Need: Simplified, cost-effective approach for targeted brain drug delivery
Current methods for focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening require multiple components that include the therapeutic transducer itself and a separate monitoring technique, with custom-made ultrasound transducers that are expensive and limited in function. Additionally, monitoring techniques require costly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to target brain areas and measure BBB opening. Other methods to overcome the BBB are either invasive, requiring surgery, or cause systemic effects due to a lack of localization. Combining the therapeutic transducer and monitoring technique into a single transducer addresses the need for a more portable, cost-effective solution that can be easily translated to clinical settings.
The Technology: Single transducer for simultaneous blood-brain barrier opening and cavitation monitoring
This technology uses a portable and readily available diagnostic ultrasound transducer connected to a commercial ultrasound imaging platform to achieve simultaneous focused ultrasound (FUS)-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening and cavitation imaging. The system generates power cavitation images that spatiotemporally measure the acoustic cavitation induced within a brain region. A commercially available diagnostic ultrasound array transmits focused pulses, and between each focused transmit, power cavitation images are acquired using delay-and-sum beamforming algorithms. The resulting microbubble oscillations disrupt the BBB and can be spatiotemporally monitored, making the technique more adaptable to clinical settings and less expensive than other FUS-mediated methods.
This technology has been tested and validated in vivo in mice and non-human primates.
Applications:
- Brain imaging and mapping
- Drug delivery to the central nervous system
- Diagnostic tool for central nervous system disorders
- Tool for modulating target brain regions
- Research tool for studying the brain
Advantages:
- Uses readily available diagnostic ultrasound equipment rather than custom transducers
- Single component for both treatment and monitoring eliminates the need for separate systems
- More cost-effective than alternative methods requiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance
- More portable and translatable to clinical settings
- Can easily be adapted to existing clinical ultrasound platforms
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (US20230181149)
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU21007
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu