Transcranial imaging of phase change contrast agents (PCCAs) through the temporal bone using ultrafast interframe activation ultrasound sequence

摘要

Nanoscale low boiling point phase-change contrast agents (PCCA) have been demonstrated as a useful tool for ultrasound-mediated transcranial therapy. Due to the low vaporization threshold, diagnostic ultrasound has been demonstrated for activating and imaging the PCCAs and guiding the focused ultrasound therapy, but the highly attenuating skull poses a challenge for transcranial applications. In this study, an ultrafast interframe activation ultrasound (UIAU) imaging sequence was tested and used for transcranial activation and imaging of low boiling point PCCAs. Results indicate that low boiling point PCCAs can be activated and imaged at low frequencies including through the temporal bone using the UIAU sequence. The UIAU imaging approach provides higher contrast than the nonlinear transcranial amplitude modulation pulse inversion (AMPI) imaging with and without the skull.