Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to accomplish noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the cavity of the heart, in other organs, and in major blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound provides noninvasive, real-time cross-sectional images and parameter estimations without ionizing radiation and without the disadvantages and risks of invasive methods of imaging and measurement. SHAPE is a non-invasive, direct, and accurate method for pressure estimation utilizing sub-harmonic or ultraharmonic signals from contrast agents. In light of the advantages of diagnostic ultrasound, SHAPE provides an economical alternative, a safe avenue, and an earlier timetable for assessing the clinical condition of patients, especially critically ill patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to accomplish noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the cavity of the heart, in other organs, and in major blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound provides noninvasive, real-time cross-sectional images and parameter estimations without ionizing radiation and without the disadvantages and risks of invasive methods of imaging and measurement. SHAPE is a non-invasive, direct, and accurate method for pressure estimation utilizing sub-harmonic or ultraharmonic signals from contrast agents. In light of the advantages of diagnostic ultrasound, SHAPE provides an economical alternative, a safe avenue, and an earlier timetable for assessing the clinical condition of patients, especially critically ill patients.

Abstract: Miniature catheter-based ultrasound transducers are used to image peritracheal or bronchial structures including masses, lymph nodes, and vessels. Most preferably, a 6.2 French catheter containing either a 12.5 or 20 MHz ultrasound transducer coupled with an ultrasound unit is passed through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope and directed to the region of interest. Patients with pulmonary masses detected by X-ray or computed tomography were studied and it was found that characteristic ultrasound patterns of masses, lymph nodes and blood vessels could be distinguished. Thus, catheter-based ultrasound transducers are useful to evaluate a variety of bronchopulmonary abnormalities. This approach was found to be valuable in the selection of the appropriate site for biopsy. In accordance with the present invention, an improved ultrasound catheter that incorporates a biopsy brush is therefore disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a mixture including a solvent, a first surfactant and a second, dispersible surfactant different from the first surfactant, the mixture having stabilized gas microbubbles formed therein by sonication. The gas microbubbles are useful in ultrasonic diagnostics. Preferably the first surfactant is substantially soluble in the solvent and the second surfactant is substantially insoluble in the solvent. The present invention also includes a process for preparing the stabilized gas microbubbles and a method for altering the contrast of an ultrasonic image using the microbubbles as a contrast agent.