Abstract: Disclosed is a sonic fine-hole forming apparatus for forming a fine-hole in a surface of a membrane or solid body in a liquid by means of sonic energy. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus is adapted to generate a sonic oscillation driving signal comprises a voltage waveform which has positive and negative voltage portions being asymmetrical, and a sharp peak portion. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus includes a sonic oscillation section having a surface provided with a covering layer or a protective material having an electrically insulating property and a sonic transparency. The coated layer or a protective material is formed to have a thickness of 10 ?m or more. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus of the present invention can form a fine-hole in a surface of a solid body without using a large-scale apparatus, while suppressing a destructive action around the fine-hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sonic fine-hole forming apparatus for forming a fine-hole in a surface of a membrane or solid body in a liquid by means of sonic energy. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus is adapted to generate a sonic oscillation driving signal comprises a voltage waveform which has positive and negative voltage portions being asymmetrical, and a sharp peak portion. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus includes a sonic oscillation section having a surface provided with a covering layer or a protective material having an electrically insulating property and a sonic transparency. The coated layer or a protective material is formed to have a thickness of 10 ?m or more. The sonic fine-hole forming apparatus of the present invention can form a fine-hole in a surface of a solid body without using a large-scale apparatus, while suppressing a destructive action around the fine-hole.

Abstract: A kit and method for causing tissue death within a tissue site is disclosed. The kit includes a media with a light activated drug activatable upon exposure to a particular level of ultrasound energy. The kit also includes an ultrasound transducer that is configured to transmit the level of ultrasound energy which activates the light activated drug with sufficient power that the ultrasound energy can penetrate the tissue site. The method includes providing the media comprising a light activated drug, delivering the media systematically into a patient's body, providing sufficient time for the light activated drug to localize within the tissue site, and directing ultrasound energy to the light activated drug within the tissue site to thereby activate the light activated drug.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cell labeling/separation method and a cell labeling/separation agent capable of identifying a target cell in a simplified manner while achieving a significantly high degree of accuracy in cell separation. The method comprises adding a micro- or nano-capsule 1 encapsulating gas 2, into a solution containing a target cell 3 therein, and stirring the obtained mixture to allow the target cell 3 to be bound to an outer surface of a wall of the micro- or nano-capsule through an antibody 4, whereby only the target cell 3 is floated up and separated.

Abstract: A booster comprising a plurality of microbubbles of a gas in a liquid, e.g. about 4×107 cells/ml of microbubbles of a gas having a diameter of 0.1 to 100 ?m in a 3 to 5% human serum albumin solution, and a pharmaceutical liquid composition comprising the booster as set forth above and a medicament, which are useful for the therapy of various diseases together with exposure of ultrasonic, where the therapeutic effects of the medicament is enhanced by the application of ultrasound in the presence of the booster.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions are delivered to a target site using a catheter which includes at least one ultrasound transducer coupled to an energy source. The therapeutic compositions include genetic material and the target site may be a DNA with affinity for the genetic material.

Abstract: A kit and method for causing tissue death within a tissue site is disclosed. The kit includes a media with a light activated drug activatable upon exposure to a particular level of ultrasound energy. The kit also includes a catheter with a lumen coupled with a media delivery port through which the light activated drug can be locally delivered to the tissue site. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit the level of ultrasound energy which activates the light activated drug with sufficient power that the ultrasound energy can penetrate the tissue site.

Abstract: A booster comprising a plurality of microbubbles of a gas in a liquid, e.g. about 4×107 cells/ml of microbubbles of a gas having a diameter of 0.1 to 100 &mgr;m in a 3 to 5% human serum albumin solution, and a pharmaceutical liquid composition comprising the booster as set forth above and a medicament, which are useful for the therapy of various diseases together with exposure of ultrasonic, where the therapeutic effects of the medicament is enhanced by the application of ultrasound in the presence of the booster.

Abstract: A kit and method for causing tissue death within a tissue site is disclosed. The kit includes a media with a light activated drug activatable upon exposure to a particular level of ultrasound energy. The kit also includes a catheter with a lumen coupled with a media delivery port through which the light activated drug can be locally delivered to the tissue site. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit the level of ultrasound energy which activates the light activated drug with sufficient power that the ultrasound energy can penetrate the tissue site.

Abstract: A booster comprising a plurality of microbubbles of a gas in a liquid, e.g. about 4×107 cells/ml of microbubbles of a gas having a diameter of 0.1. to 100 &mgr;m in a 3 to 5% human serum albumin solution, and a pharmaceutical liquid composition comprising the booster as set forth above and a medicament, which are useful for the therapy of various diseases together with exposure of ultrasonic, where the therapeutic effects of the medicament is enhanced by the application of ultrasound in the presence of the booster.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions are delivered to a target site using a catheter which includes at least one ultrasound transducer coupled to an energy source. The therapeutic compositions include genetic material and the target site may be a DNA with affinity for the genetic material.

Abstract: A kit and method for causing tissue death within a tissue site is disclosed. The kit includes a media with a light activated drug activatable upon exposure to a particular level of ultrasound energy. The kit also includes a catheter with a lumen coupled with a media delivery port through which the light activated drug can be locally delivered to the tissue site. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit the level of ultrasound energy which activates the light activated drug with sufficient power that the ultrasound energy can penetrate the tissue site.

Abstract: A kit and method for causing tissue death within a tissue site is disclosed. The kit includes a media with a light activated drug activatable upon exposure to a particular level of ultrasound energy. The kit also includes a catheter with a lumen coupled with a media delivery port through which the light activated drug can be locally delivered to the tissue site. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit the level of ultrasound energy which activates the light activated drug with sufficient power that the ultrasound energy can penetrate the tissue site.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating holes in a biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing which at least partially defines a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber including a tissue contact surface which is configured to be positioned adjacent the biological tissue. An ultrasound delivery device is positioned adjacent the fluid chamber and is configured to cavitate a fluid within the fluid chamber. A plurality of apertures extend from the fluid chamber through the tissue contact surface. The apertures are sized to permit passage of the cavitated fluid through the apertures.

Abstract: A remedial ultrasonic wave generating apparatus which allows highly efficient dispensation of a medicine without complicated preparations is provided. An ultrasonic wave generating apparatus for supplying an ultrasonic wave signal to a remedial ultrasonic oscillation element comprising an ultrasonic wave signal generating for generating an ultrasonic wave signal whose frequency randomly changes. The ultrasonic wave signal generating is constituted by, for example, a plurality of oscillation circuits oscillating at different frequencies and a switching circuit for randomly selecting one of the outputs of these oscillation circuits based on the output of a random number generating circuit.

Abstract: A sheet for measuring ultrasonic waves with which it is possible to easily measure a 2-dimensional ultrasonic wave distribution comprises a fluid in which multiple bubbles, each consisting of a minute quantity of gas covered by an extremely thin covering, are dispersed and sealed in a transparent baglike sheet.

Abstract: A medicine applying tool is provided at the tip of a catheter that is used to inject the medicine. An electrode portion has first and second electrodes that are provided so that they interpose a piezoelectric element therebetween. An opening is provided in the vicinity of the electrode portion, and serves to inject a medicine supplied through the catheter into a patient. A third electrode is electrically connected to the patient. An electric signal of an ultrasonic frequency is applied to the first and second electrodes therebetween. A DC voltage is applied to the third electrode and the outside one of the first and second electrodes therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unit and its apparatus for drug administration and humor sampling, capable of increasing the drug absorption rate with a lower voltage applied and of collecting a sufficient amount of body fluid with a lower voltage applied. The present invention provides drug administration and humor sampling units A and B comprising electrodes 7a and 7b for applying D.C. voltage as well as ultrasonic vibrating elements 8a and 8b, each disposed inside fluid containers 4a and 4b having openings on the side for contact with skin and being filled with a solution; said drug administration and humor sampling units A and B being disposed on a common adhesive sheet 1 to form a drug administration and humor sampling apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring three-dimensional distribution of ultrasonic waves which allows simple real time measurement, wherein a multiplicity of bubble-shaped elements, which are trace amounts of gas coated with an extremely thin coating, are dispersed in a liquid; an ultrasonic oscillation element is placed in the liquid to radiate ultrasonic waves; the bubble-shaped elements are collapsed by the radiation of the ultrasonic waves; and changes in the optical characteristics of the liquid caused by the collapse of the bubble-shaped elements are visually measured.

Abstract: A booster comprising a plenty of microbubbles of a gas in a liquid, e.g. about 4.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml of microbubbles of a gas having a diameter of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m in a 3 to 5% human serum albumin solution, and a pharmaceutical liquid composition comprising the booster as set forth above and a medicament, which are useful for the therapy of various diseases together with exposure of ultrasonic, where the therapeutic effects of the medicament is enhanced by the application of ultrasound in the presence of the booster.