Abstract: An apparatus, method, and use for ultrasound mediated microbubble delivery of pharmaceutical compositions to pulmonary tissue are provided. The pulmonary ultrasound apparatus includes an ultrasound signal generator for generating ultrasonic signals, an ultrasound transducer assembly having an ultrasound transducer operatively connected to the ultrasound signal generator, the ultrasound transducer configured to transmit the ultrasound signal generated by the ultrasound signal generator to pulmonary tissue, wherein the ultrasonic signal is transmitted at a frequency, a pressure, and a pulse duration for cavitating microbubbles to deliver a pharmaceutically active molecule to the pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the size of microbubbles are provided herein. The methods include forming a microbubble in a liquid at an inlet end of a liquid microchannel, the liquid microchannel having an outlet end spaced from the inlet end and a liquid microchannel conduit extending therebetween. As the liquid is propelled along a length of the liquid microchannel, the liquid carry the microbubble, a negative pressure is applied to a first very low pressure microchannel having a first end, a second end spaced from the first end and a first very low pressure microchannel conduit extending between the first end and the second end and having a portion thereof being laterally spaced from and adjacent to a portion of the liquid microchannel conduit. The negative pressure withdraws air from the microbubble in the liquid microchannel to shrink the microbubble as the microbubble travels along the portion of the liquid microchannel conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for using ultrasound and a microbubble agent to induce ceramide accumulation in a target region including a population of cells associated with a tumor. An ultrasound system is directed to expose a target region in a patient, to which a microbubble agent has been provided, to an ultrasound exposure sufficient to alter gene expressions in cells in the target region so as to induce an accumulation of ceramide in the cells.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is related to a system for providing radiotherapy to a treatment region. The system includes a radiation source and a sound source. The radiation source is positioned to irradiate the treatment region. The sound source is positioned to provide ultrasound to the treatment region so that the treatment region is subject to coincidental treatment by irradiation and ultrasound.