Effects of Dual-Frequency Ultrasound Excitation on the Cavitation of Microbubble Contrast Agents for Use in Tumor Ablation Therapy

Ultrasound ablation therapy has emerged as a potential cancer tumor treatment because of its ability to selectively destroy tissue in a targeted region. However, the required energy can cause surface burns on the skin, and the treatment is limited to tumors within a specified size and location. Ultrasound microbubble contrast agents can be used to improve therapeutic ultrasound treatments. Phospholipid shelled microbubbles have the advantage of an increased life span, as well as the flexibility to withstand expansion and contraction, while a perfluorocarbon core increases the desired bioeffects by providing additional cavitation nuclei. Single-frequency ultrasound excitation of microbubbles has been explored as a method of enhancing ablation treatments. This study explored the effects of dual-frequency ultrasound on the cavitation of microbubble contrast agents for use in ablation therapies. I propose that a single element transducer is capable of emitting a dual-frequency waveform that, in combination with microbubble contrast agents, allows increased cavitation at a lower pressure, potentially expanding the applications of ultrasound tumor ablation while making high intensity focused ultrasound therapies safer and more efficient.Bachelor of Scienc