Tom Matula Ph.D.
Applied Physics Laboratory (Center for Industrial & Medical Ultrasound)
"Cavitation in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications"

ABSTRACT

This talk will describe cavitation that occurs in diagnostic and therapeutic
ultrasound. In diagnostic ultrasound, cavitation is most often related to the
injection of ultrasound contrast agents, small bubbles used to enhance the
overall contrast in imaging. These agents are also being developed as
therapeutic agents for targeted drug delivery. At high negative acoustic
pressures associated with therapeutic ultrasound, cavitation occurs in the
bloodstream and fluid-filled cavities. Examples of intense acoustic therapy
include  lithotripsy, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and shock
wave therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. Various examples, and current
research directions will be discussed.