WO2002064095A2 - Method and system for delivering contrast agent - Google Patents
Method and system for delivering contrast agent Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002064095A2 WO2002064095A2 PCT/US2002/004770 US0204770W WO02064095A2 WO 2002064095 A2 WO2002064095 A2 WO 2002064095A2 US 0204770 W US0204770 W US 0204770W WO 02064095 A2 WO02064095 A2 WO 02064095A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- infusion rate
- contrast effect
- contrast
- contrast agent
- ultrasound
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
- G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
- G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
- G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
- G01S7/52038—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation involving non-linear properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
- A61B8/481—Diagnostic techniques involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream
Definitions
- This application relates to the delivery and control of ultrasound contrast agent.
- Ultrasound imaging is a popular means of observing the physiological conditions of human or animal patients. Echo contrast is often employed to improve the quality of ultrasound images. Studies have indicated that echocardiography using contrast agent delivered as an infusion can achieve optimized signal enhancement with a desired contrast effect for a longer duration than bolus injection.
- contrast agent is infused intravenously or intra-arterially into a human or animal patient to change the intravascular concentration of micro-bubbles in a patient. Contrast agents such as Optison® made by Mallinckrodt of St Louis, Missouri and Definity® made by Dupont of Wilmington, Delaware are FDA approved for commercial use. It is important to determine the proper contrast agent infusion rate, so that the proper micro- bubble concentration can be achieved and maintained during an ultrasound imaging measurement.
- a contrast agent is infused too rapidly into a patient, then the intravascular compartment becomes too echogenic and makes the ultrasound images difficult to read. Infusing too much of a contrast agent also wastes the contrast agent. On the other hand, if not enough contrast agent is infused into the patient, then it is too echolucent and the ultrasound contrast effect is lost.
- the micro-bubble concentration of a contrast agent often varies from patient to patient, making it difficult to determine a proper contrast agent infusion rate.
- the micro-bubble concentration may fluctuate during the course of an ultrasound imaging process, thus limiting the duration of optimized signal enhancement. For example, even if a contrast agent is infused at a constant rate during the course of a diagnostic ultrasound to assess tissue perfusion, the micro-bubble concentration of the patient may fluctuate, leading to errors in tissue perfusion measurements. These conditions make it difficult to fix the proper contrast agent infusion rate during the course of an ultrasound imaging process.
- ultrasound imaging users cannot select their desired degree of contrast effect, which relates to the degree of signal enhancement.
- a user can only manually set and adjust the infusion rate based on intuition, experience and luck, hoping to achieve the desired degree of contrast effect.
- the present application discloses methods and systems for the delivery and control of contrast agent.
- the disclosed methods and systems can continuously measure a patient's intravascular contrast effect, and automatically adjust the infusion rate during an ultrasound imaging process.
- the disclosed methods and systems can automatically maintain a relatively steady micro- bubble concentration during the ultrasound imaging process, which is desirable for all types of ultrasound imaging and especially for assessing tissue perfusion.
- the disclosed methods and systems can produce a prolonged duration of ideal contrast effect and signal enhancement.
- the disclosed methods and systems allow a user to select a preferred degree of ultrasound contrast effect, which is desirable for all types of ultrasound imaging and especially for myocardial perfusion imaging.
- One aspect relates to a method of determining an infusion rate for delivery of contrast agent for ultrasound imaging.
- the method includes measuring a contrast effect of a contrast agent in a patient, and automatically determining a contrast agent infusion rate based on the measured contrast effect.
- An ultrasound imaging test can then be performed on the patient with infusion of the contrast agent at the determined rate.
- the system includes a contrast effect measuring unit configured to measure the contrast effect of a contrast agent in a patient, a control unit configured to determine a contrast agent infusion rate based on the measured contrast effect, and an infusion unit configured to infuse the patient with contrast agent at the determined contrast agent infusion rate,
- FIGURE 1 shows one embodiment of a collection of units involved in the delivery and control of contrast agent.
- FIGURE 2 shows one embodiment of a contrast effect measuring unit.
- FIGURE 3 shows one embodiment of a control system.
- FIGURE 4 shows one embodiment of a programming interface for programming parameters.
- FIGURE 5 shows one embodiment of an ultrasound system.
- FIGURE 6 shows one embodiment of an ultrasound system and one embodiment of an infusion system.
- FIGURE 7 shows one embodiment of a process of delivering and controlling contrast agent.
- FIGURE 1 shows one embodiment of a collection of units involved in the delivery and control of contrast agent.
- a contrast effect measuring unit 104 is connected to a human or animal patient 110 to measure the contrast effect of a contrast agent in the patient 110.
- the measuring unit 104 is connected to a peripheral artery of the patient 110.
- an ultrasound probe can be fixed to an arm or a leg of the patient 110. The probe preferably remains fixed to the same location during the course of an ultrasound imaging process to allow for continuous measuring.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measures the Doppler audio signal of the patient's blood vessel.
- the measuring unit 104 measures contrast effect by measuring ultrasound signals.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 can include ultrasound, Doppler, or both measuring modalities.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 receives measurements of the contrast effect and sends the measurements to a control unit 106.
- the measuring unit 104 sends the raw measurements such as unprocessed Doppler audio signals of the patient's blood flow to the control unit 106.
- the measuring unit 104 processes the measurements and sends the processed measurements to the control unit 106. Examples of processing the measurements include vector summation, RMS-DC (root mean square-direct current) conversion, logarithmic conversion, signal scaling, analog-digital conversion, and others.
- the control unit 106 can in some embodiments include a programming interface (not shown). A user administering an ultrasound imaging test uses the programming interface to set parameters.
- Parameters may include the initial contrast agent infusion rate (Rinit), the desired contrast effect (Ctarget), the increase to the current infusion rate in the event that the measured contrast effect is lower than the desired contrast effect (Ri nc ), and the decrease to the current infusion rate in the event that the measured contrast effect is higher than the desired contrast effect (Rdec).
- the desired contrast effect can be 30 dB (corresponding to audio signal intensity)
- the initial infusion rate can be 10-cc/minute
- Rj nc and Rdec can be 0.2-cc/minute.
- the control unit 106 receives the contrast effect measurements from the contrast effect measuring unit 104.
- control unit 106 determines the desired infusion rate (for example, comparing the measured contrast effect with the desired contrast effect Ctarget and based on the current infusion rate), and sends control data including the desired infusion rate to the infusion unit 102.
- control unit 106 and the infusion unit 102 are connected by an RS-232 cable.
- the control unit 106 can communicate with the infusion unit 102 by other means in some embodiments, such as by optical cable, telephone line, radio signals, and so forth.
- the infusion unit 102 receives the control data and infuses contrast agent to the patient 110 according to the desired infusion rate.
- the control unit 106 determines the proper adjustment to be made to the current infusion rate, i.e., the amount of increase or decrease to the current infusion rate. For example, the control unit 106 determines whether the measured contrast effect is higher or lower than the desired contrast effect Ctarget, and selects Rinc or Ri nc as the adjustment to the infusion rate.
- the control unit 106 sends control data including the desired infusion rate adjustment to the infusion unit 102.
- the infusion unit 102 receives the control data and increases or decreases its infusion rate according to the received control data.
- the infusion unit 102 receives the programmed parameter R,- n ⁇ t from the programming interface and begins infusion at the programmed initial infusion rate parameter Rinit.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 is connected to the patient 110 and performs ultrasound imaging on the patient 110.
- a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiograph) imaging device can be used.
- Other types of ultrasound imaging devices can also be used.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measuring the contrast effect in the patient 110
- the control unit 106 determining the desired infusion rate or the desired infusion rate adjustment, and the infusion unit 102 infusing contrast agent according to the determination made by the control unit 106
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 is likely to produce high quality images with a long duration of desired contrast effect and desired signal enhancement.
- FIGURE 2 shows one embodiment of a contrast effect measuring unit.
- FIGURE 2 can also be one embodiment of the signal converter 304, which is described below in connection with FIGURE 3.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 is a Doppler unit.
- the measuring unit 104 is connected to a patient 110 on one end, for example connected to a peripheral artery of the patient 110.
- the left channel 202 receives the audio signal for the forward blood flow of the artery
- the right channel 204 receives the audio signal for the backward blood flow of the artery.
- the left channel 202 receives the audio signal for the backward blood flow of the artery
- the right channel 204 receives the audio signal for the forward blood flow of the artery.
- only one of the two channels 202 and 204 is connected to the measuring unit 104. The other channel is not connected.
- the left channel 202 and the right channel 204 are connected to an input protection unit 206 on the other end.
- the input protection unit 206 provides over-voltage protection from erroneous or noise signals.
- One example of the input protection unit 206 is a clamping diode.
- the input protection unit 206 connects to the vector summation and RMS-DC converting unit 208.
- the vector summation and RMS-DC converting unit 208 performs a vector summation process to combine the audio signals received from the left channel 202 and the right channel 204.
- a commercially available power combiner can be used to combine the signals.
- the vector summation process is not performed.
- the unit 208 also performs a RMS-DC converting process to convert the variant signals to constant signals.
- one or more capacitors can be used to average the signal variations caused by cardiac cycles.
- a commercially available rectifier can be used to perform the conversion to direct current form.
- the term "RMS-DC converting" as used in the present application refers to converting signals with variances to direct current signals, which may or may not involve root mean square calculations.
- the vector summation and RMS-DC converting unit 208 connects to a first switch 210, which is also connected to a first voltage reference 212 and a second voltage reference 214.
- the first switch 210 can be a mechanical switch or a semiconductor switch.
- the first voltage reference 212 and the second voltage reference 214 can be used for internal calibration. By activating the first switch 210, a user can select between the normal operation mode and the internal calibration mode.
- the first switch 210 also connects to a logarithmic converting unit.216, which is connected to a second switch 218,
- the logarithmic converting unit 216 can convert data from linear scale to logarithmic scale.
- the second switch 218 can be a mechanical switch or a semiconductor switch. By activating the second switch 218, a user can select to use or not use the logarithmic converting unit 216.
- the second switch 218 connects to a gain and buffer unit 220, which is connected to a signal out line 222 to send out signals. Since the measuring unit 104 may drive different units (for example an infusion unit 102 or a chart plotter) at different power (voltage) levels and different load (amp) levels, the gain and buffer unit 220 provides proper voltage gain and buffering.
- the gain and buffer unit 220 provides proper voltage gain and buffering, and sends the data to an infusion unit 102, a control unit 106, or a chart plotter.
- FIGURE 3 shows one embodiment of a control system.
- the control system 302 of FIGURE 3 includes a signal converter 304, an A/D converter 306, and a computing unit 308.
- the units 304, 306 can be commercially available products or custom made.
- One model of a commercial signal converter is Model-AD637 from Analog Devices of Norwood, Massachusetts
- One model of a commercial A/D converter is Model-LTC1298 from Parallax, Inc. of Rocklin, California.
- the computing unit 308 can be custom made or modified from a commercially available product.
- One model of a commercial computing unit is Parallax BS2-IC from Parallax, Inc. of Rocklin, California.
- the units of the control system 302 can be combined into fewer units or separated into more units to achieve substantially the same functions.
- the control system 302 also includes an infusion unit 102.
- the left channel 202 and the right channel 204 are connected to the measuring unit 104 (which is in turn connected to a patient 110) on one end, and connected to the signal converter 304 on the other end. In one embodiment, only one of the two channels 202 and 204 is connected to the measuring unit 104.
- the left channel 202 and/or the right channel 204 measure the Doppler audio signals of the patient's blood flow.
- the signal converter 304 performs vector summation and RMS-DC conversion on the received signals. In one embodiment, the signal converter 304 also performs logarithmic conversion. In one embodiment, the signal converter 304 also performs signal scaling.
- the signal converter 304 scales the negative-to-zero voltage signals to zero-to- positive voltage signals.
- the signal converter 304 sends the processed signals to the A/D converter 306.
- the A/D converter 306 receives the signals and 'converts the signals from analog into digital format, and sends the digital signals to the computing unit 308.
- the computing unit 308 receives programmed parameters from a programming interface
- the computing unit 308 compares the received signals with programmed parameters, and determines a desired infusion rate or a desired infusion rate adjustment based on the received signals and the programmed parameters. For example, the computing unit 308 compares the measured contrast effect with the programmed desired contrast effect parameter, and determines a desired infusion rate or a desired infusion rate adjustment.
- Some of the commercially available infusion pumps include a computing unit that accepts user-entered infusion rate and syringe size, and infuses a patient according to the entered infusion rate and syringe size.
- a computing unit that accepts user-entered infusion rate and syringe size, and infuses a patient according to the entered infusion rate and syringe size.
- Such a commercial infusion pump and its computing unit can be modified to become the infusion unit 102 and the computing unit 308.
- a Model-210 infusion pump from kdScientific Inc. of New Hope, Pennsylvania was modified.
- Other commercial infusion pump manufacturers include Harvard Apparatus of Boston, Massachusetts.
- the computing unit 308 can also be custom made.
- a commercial infusion pump without a computing unit can also be modified to communicate with a computing unit 308.
- the computing unit 308 sends the calculated desired infusion rate through output line 310 to the infusion unit 102.
- the output line 310 is an RS-232 cable.
- the computing unit 308 can also be connected to the infusion unit 102 by other means, such as by optical cable, telephone line, radio signals, and so forth.
- the control system 302 also includes a programming interface for programming parameters, to be described below in connection with FIGURE 4.
- the computing unit 308 is a microprocessor with programmable ROM
- a personal computer can be connected to the computing unit 308 to download a program to the PROM.
- the computing unit 308 uses the program to perform its functions, including receiving data from the A/D converter 306, determining desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate, and sending control commands through output line 310 to the infusion unit 102.
- the personal computer can be disconnected from the computing unit 308 once the program is downloaded.
- the microprocessor with PROM has size and cost advantages. For example, such a microprocessor can be the size of a stamp or smaller, and cost about $100 or less.
- FIGURE 4 shows one embodiment of a programming interface for programming parameters.
- the programming interface 402 is included in a control unit 106.
- the programming interface 402 is included in a control system 302.
- a user uses the programming interface 402 to program parameters.
- the programming interface 402 includes a first face 404 for programming the desired contrast effect parameter Ctarget. By moving a first knob 406 along the first face 404, a user can set the desired contrast effect parameter to be any value between 0 and 40 dB.
- the programming interface 402 also includes a second face 414 for programming the increment to infusion rate parameter Ri nc and a third face 424 for programming the decrement to infusion rate parameter Rdec
- the second face 414 and the third face 424 includes a second knob 416 and a third knob 426, respectively, for setting the Rinc and Rdec parameter to be any value between 0 and 0.4 cc/minute, respectively.
- the faces 404, 414, 424 and the knobs 406, 416, 426 are located on a panel of the computing unit 308.
- push buttons are located on a panel of the computing unit 308 for programming the parameters, For example, a push button labeled "increase desired contrast effect” and a push button labeled "decrease desired contrast effect” can be used to program the desired contrast effect parameter, Each time the "increase desired contrast effect” button or the "decrease desired contrast effect” button is pushed, the computing unit 308 respectively increases or decreases the desired contrast effect parameter by a pre-set value, for example 1 dB, A display device can be connected to the computing unit 308 to display the parameter value currently being programmed.
- FIGURE 4 shows knobs 406, 416 and 426 for ease of illustration, it should be understood that where the computing unit 308 is a microprocessor, it is often easier to program a microprocessor to read data from buttons than from knobs.
- users program parameters using a personal computer connected to the control unit 106 or connected to the computing unit 308.
- a personal computer connected to the control unit 106 or connected to the computing unit 308.
- users use a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, or a touch-screen connected to the personal computer to program parameters.
- Devices can be connected by communications cables or wires or by radio signals.
- a monitor of the personal computer can display output to the user, for example showing the currently programmed parameter values, the currently measured contrast effect, and the current infusion rate.
- a display device of the control unit 106 or of the computing unit 308 can also display such output. After the parameters are programmed, they can be downloaded from the personal computer into the control unit 106 or into the computing unit 308. The personal computer can also function as the computing unit 308 itself.
- the infusion rate adjustment parameters are programmed by the manufacturer of the programming interface 402 and cannot be adjusted by a user. In another embodiment, these parameters can be adjusted by a user. In one embodiment, more than one desired contrast effect parameters are used. For example, a parameter for optimal contrast effect and a parameter for reasonable variation are used. If the measured contrast effect falls within the reasonable variation from the optimal contrast effect, then no adjustments are made to the current infusion rate of the infusion unit 102. Otherwise an adjustment is made to the current infusion rate, In another example, two parameters represent the lower limit and the higher limit of the desired contrast effect, respectively. If the measured contrast effect falls within the range of the two limits, then no adjustments are made to the current infusion rate of the infusion unit 102. Otherwise an adjustment is made to the current infusion rate.
- programmed parameters can also be used.
- two programmable parameters Rind and Rin-2 can be used.
- Rind for example programmed with a value of 0,1-cc/minute
- Rinc2 for example programmed with a value of 0.2- cc/minute
- Rdec parameters can also be used when the measured contrast effect is higher than the desired contrast effect Ctarget.
- a user programs a fast infusion rate Rfast to be used when the measured contrast effect is lower than Ctarget, and a slow infusion rate Rsio to be used when the measured contrast effect is higher than Ctarget.
- Rfast fast infusion rate
- Rsio slow infusion rate
- the control unit 106 or the control system 302 calculates the infusion rate or the adjustment to infusion rate, without using parameters Ri nc , Rdec, Rfast or Rsiow.
- the control unit 106 or the control system 302 uses a formula to calculate an infusion rate based on the difference between the measured contrast effect and a programmed desired contrast effect parameter. Using the formula for calculation, if the measured contrast effect is lower than the desired contrast effect, then the formula calculates a higher infusion rate. If the measured contrast effect is higher than the desired contrast effect, then the formula calculates a lower infusion rate. The higher and lower infusion rates are made somewhat proportional to the difference between the measured contrast effect and the desired contrast effect parameter.
- a formula such as Rinit + c * (Ctarget - Cmeasure) can be used to determine a desired infusion rate, with c being a constant and Cmeasure being the measured contrast effect.
- Ctarget - Cmeasure the measured contrast effect.
- the higher and lower infusion rates can also be pre-set values determined by the manufacturer of the control unit 106 or the control system 302.
- the programming interface 402 is connected to the ultrasound imaging unit 108.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 receives the programmed desired contrast effect parameter from the programming interface 402, and displays or stores the parameter along with the ultrasound imaging results. Therefore a user administering a follow-up ultrasound imaging test can review the previous ultrasound imaging results, and program the desired contrast effect parameter to be the same value as the last test. Since the tests are taken with the same contrast effect, they are likely to have the same level of signal enhancement and are thus ideal for comparisons.
- a user can also record the parameter, for example on a piece of paper, on a ultrasound imaging chart, or into a computer.
- FIGURE 5 shows one embodiment of an ultrasound system.
- the ultrasound system 502 of FIGURE 5 includes a contrast effect measuring unit 104 and a control unit 106.
- the ultrasound system 502 also includes the ultrasound imaging unit 108.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 is not included within the ultrasound system 502.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measures the contrast effect of a contrast agent in the patient 110, and sends the measured signals to the control unit 106.
- the ultrasound system 502 is a commercial ultrasound system that includes a commercial Doppler frequency measuring unit.
- the Doppler frequency measuring unit measures the Doppler signal and uses the Doppler frequency shift in a patient's artery or vein to determine the direction and velocity of blood flow. With the Doppler signal measured by the Doppler frequency measuring unit, its signal intensity is used to measure the effect of the contrast enhancement.
- the control unit 106 receives the signals and determines the desired infusion rate or adjustment to the infusion rate.
- the control unit 106 sends the desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate to the infusion unit 102.
- the infusion unit 102 receives the desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate from the control unit 106 and infuses the patient 110 according to the desired infusion rate, or changes its infusion rate according to the received adjustment to infusion rate.
- control unit 106 is connected to the ultrasound imaging unit 108,
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 receives from the control unit 106 the measured contrast effect.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 displays or stores the measured contrast effect along with the ultrasound imaging results.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 displays or stores the programmed desired contrast effect parameter along with the ultrasound imaging results. Therefore, follow-up ultrasound imaging tests can be taken that achieve the same contrast effect.
- a person administering the ultrasound imaging records the programmed desired contrast effect parameter or the measured contrast effect along with the ultrasound imaging results, and follow-up ultrasound imaging tests can be taken with the same contrast effect.
- FIGURE 6 shows one embodiment of an ultrasound system and one embodiment of an infusion system.
- the ultrasound system 502 includes a contrast effect measuring unit 104.
- the infusion system 502 includes a control unit 106 and an infusion unit 102.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 is included in the infusion system 502.
- One embodiment of the ultrasound system 502 also includes the ultrasound imaging unit 108.
- the ultrasound system 502 can be modified from a commercial ultrasound system that includes a commercial Doppler frequency measuring unit.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measures the contrast effect of a contrast agent in the patient 110, and sends the measured signals to the control unit 106 of the infusion system 602.
- the control unit 106 receives the signals and determines the desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate.
- the control unit 106 sends the desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate to the infusion unit 102 of the infusion system 602.
- the infusion unit 102 receives the desired infusion rate from the control unit 106 and infuses the patient 110 according to the desired infusion rate, or receives the desired adjustment to infusion rate and adjusts its infusion rate accordingly.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 is connected to the ultrasound imaging unit 108.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 receives from the contrast effect measuring unit 104 the measured contrast effect.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 displays or stores the measured contrast effect along with the ultrasound imaging results.
- the ultrasound imaging unit 108 displays or stores the programmed desired contrast effect parameter along with the ultrasound imaging results. Therefore, follow-up ultrasound imaging tests can be taken to achieve the same contrast effect.
- a person administering the ultrasound imaging records the measured contrast effect or the programmed desired contrast effect parameter along with the ultrasound imaging results, and follow-up ultrasound imaging tests can be taken with the same contrast effect.
- FIGURE 7 shows one embodiment of a process of delivering and controlling contrast agent. From a start block 702, the process proceeds to a block 704, At the block 704, the programming device 402 allows a user to program one or more desired contrast effect parameters. In some embodiments, programmable parameters may also include initial infusion rate, increment adjustment to infusion rate, and decrement adjustment to infusion rate. The process proceeds to a block 706, where the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measures the contrast effect in a patient 110. The process proceeds to a block 708.
- the control unit 106 determines a desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate, based on the contrast effect measured by the measuring unit 104 and the desired contrast effect parameter entered from the programming interface 402.
- the process proceeds to a block 710, where the infusion unit 102 infuses contrast agent into the patient 110 according to the determined desired infusion rate or adjustment to infusion rate.
- the infusion unit 102 first begins infusing at a programmed initial infusion rate.
- the process proceeds to a block 712, where the ultrasound imaging unit 108 performs ultrasound imaging on the patient 110.
- the process proceeds to a decision block 714.
- a determination is made as to whether the ultrasound imaging test is ending. If the imaging test is still in progress, then the process returns to the block 706, to continue measuring contrast effect in the patient. If the imaging test is ending, then the process proceeds to an end block 716.
- the measuring of block 706 and the determining of block 708 may end before the ultrasound imaging test ends.
- a user may decide to stop measuring contrast effect or stop adjusting the infusion rate, and allow the infusion rate to remain unchanged until the end of the ultrasound imaging test.
- the period of time can be a programmed parameter or a value pre-set in the measuring unit 104, in the control unit 106, or in the control system 302.
- an ultrasound contrast agent is bound to a drug.
- the bound drug/contrast agent compound is infused into the patient to reach a target tissue.
- the contrast effect measuring unit 104 measures the contrast effect of the compound to provide information as to the flow and delivery rate of the drug/contrast agent compound inside the patient, and whether the compound has reached the target tissue.
- the control unit 106 determines the desired infusion rate or the desired infusion rate adjustment based on the measured contrast effect and programmed parameters.
- the methods and systems can also be applied to a gene/contrast agent bound together.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2002248452A AU2002248452A1 (en) | 2001-02-14 | 2002-02-14 | Method and system for delivering contrast agent |
US10/250,461 US20040073117A1 (en) | 2002-02-14 | 2002-02-14 | Method and system for delivering contrast agent |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26881401P | 2001-02-14 | 2001-02-14 | |
US60/268,814 | 2001-02-14 |
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WO2002064095A2 true WO2002064095A2 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
WO2002064095A3 WO2002064095A3 (en) | 2003-08-07 |
WO2002064095A8 WO2002064095A8 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
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PCT/US2002/004770 WO2002064095A2 (en) | 2001-02-14 | 2002-02-14 | Method and system for delivering contrast agent |
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AU (1) | AU2002248452A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002064095A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109741444A (en) * | 2019-01-10 | 2019-05-10 | 深圳开立生物医疗科技股份有限公司 | A kind of three-dimensional contrastographic picture display methods, device, equipment and storage medium |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5456255A (en) * | 1993-07-12 | 1995-10-10 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus |
US6258033B1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2001-07-10 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Ultrasound method employing echoes from a region of interest to enable quantization of backscatter signals |
US6397097B1 (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 2002-05-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and control apparatus for tracking a contrast agent in an examination subject using a medical imaging device |
-
2002
- 2002-02-14 WO PCT/US2002/004770 patent/WO2002064095A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-02-14 AU AU2002248452A patent/AU2002248452A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5456255A (en) * | 1993-07-12 | 1995-10-10 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus |
US6397097B1 (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 2002-05-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and control apparatus for tracking a contrast agent in an examination subject using a medical imaging device |
US6258033B1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2001-07-10 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Ultrasound method employing echoes from a region of interest to enable quantization of backscatter signals |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109741444A (en) * | 2019-01-10 | 2019-05-10 | 深圳开立生物医疗科技股份有限公司 | A kind of three-dimensional contrastographic picture display methods, device, equipment and storage medium |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2002248452A1 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
WO2002064095A3 (en) | 2003-08-07 |
WO2002064095A8 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
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