Micro bubbles To The Rescue For Myocardial Infarcts

Interesting article published recently suggests ultrasound contrast agents may improve re-vascularization of stunned, or injured myocardium after an ischemic episode, such as a heart attack.  This study was performed on mice, but show promise.  It seems that agitating the bubbles with ultrasonic energy encourages the re-growth of blood vessels in the injured tissues of the heart.  This is promising.



Feb. 21, 2013 — Scientists from the Bonn University Hospital successfully tested a method in mice allowing the morphological and functional sequelae of a myocardial infarction to be reduced. Tiny gas bubbles are made to oscillate within the heart via focused ultrasound -- this improves microcirculation and decreases the size of the scar tissue. The results show that the mice, following myocardial infarction, have improved cardiac output as a result of this method, as compared to untreated animals.

Thanks Science Daily

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221084612.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_health+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+News+--+Top+Health%29

Government Mandated Endovaginal Ultrasound?

Wisconsin law makers are debating a bill which would force pregnant women considering an elective first trimester abortion to undergo an endovaginal ultrasound.  Similar laws are in place in other states. Though I am anti-abortion, I feel this is going a bit far.  This is not the first time the government has forced "medical imaging" on the public without consulting a physician.  Consider the TSA screening procedures in place at airports.  Many TSA screening stations include x-ray machines that scan a passengers whole body with ionizing radiation.  Last I checked, x-rays are prescription medical procedures authorized and ordered by licensed physicians.  I do not see a doctor handing out prescriptions in the TSA screening line.  This is a highly charged discussion.  I will provide the link, and you can make up your own mind.

At the Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Conference this week, the state’s top Republican lawmakers assured attendeesthat they will do everything in their power to enact a forced ultrasound bill, which would mandate an invasive transvaginal probe for some women seeking first-trimester abortions. “This bill is a priority,” Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) said. “It is long overdue.”

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/02/15/1597701/wisconsin-forced-transvaginal-ultrasound/

Wireless Ultrasound Transducers Are Here

I have been talking about this breakthrough technology for years in my classroom, now it is here: wireless ultrasound transducers!  I predicted this would happen 8 years ago, and now the hurdles of energy usage and battery power have been tamed.  Perhaps I am too optimistic in that battery life will be an issue in these first generation probes.  Ultrasound transducers use very high voltages.  The other technological hurdle was obviously wireless encryption for HIPPA.  I look forward to trying out these probes as soon as my vendors get a chance to drop by with them.  Isn't life great?


"CHICAGO-- At the 98th

 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North 
America (RSNA), November 25-30 in Chicago, Siemens Healthcare introduced the ACUSON 
Freestyle™ ultrasound system that features wireless transducers, eliminating the impediment of 
cables in ultrasound imaging. To enable this pioneering technology, the system brings to the market a 
large number of innovations, including acoustics, system architecture, radio design, miniaturization, 
and image processing. The ACUSON Freestyle system will expand ultrasound’s use in interventional 
and therapeutic applications, where the technology provides numerous workflow and image quality 
advantages. The development of wireless ultrasound is in line with the objectives of the Healthcare 
Sector’s global initiative Agenda 2013 – specifically in the areas of innovation and accessibility."

Courtesy Siemans and Sonoworld

http://www.sonoworld.com/Client/ModuleContent/ModuleContent.aspx?ModuleId=14&ContentId=3295

Prenatal Ultrasound and Hearing

I have an interesting article to share.  I am not sure about it, because I have not seen any white papers on it.  But we are on the mend (From pneumonia and the flu.  My son and wife caught it)  so I will continue to blog.  Seems a study is underway that measures hearing on babies who were subjected to ultrasound during pregnancy.  First, before I post the link, I would like to thank www.Sonoworld.com for great and free information.  This stuff is great, and sometimes I am a parrot with cross-posts. But we all need to know great news in the ultrasound community  Most of us Sonographers know the audible range of hearing is between 20 and 20,000 Hertz.  As a musician, I have suffered hearing loss to some extant.  I can still listen to Mozart and Genius with few problems.  Thank's all for visiting and please add me to your links.  BTW  the picture is Yours Truly.  20 points to Griffindor if you can tell me where this real picture was taken 7 years ago.  Bless you all who have linked up.  Forgive me for the lack of posts, I have enjoyed the company of many health care providers in the past few weeks as a teacher.  That is my job.  Long days.. Full of fun.  BTW  There is a story behind this photo.  To be continued......

Objective

Prenatal ultrasound exams have become increasingly frequent. Although no serious adverse effects are known, the public health implications would be enormous should adverse effects on auditory development be shown. This study looks to establish a possible correlation between hearing loss and increased prenatal ultrasound exposure.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Tertiary academic referral center.

Results

A higher number of both total and 3rd trimester ultrasound exams as well as a younger gestational age at birth were all found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of passing the newborn hearing screen (p<0 .001="" each="" factors="" for="" found="" no="" other="" p="" reach="" significance.="" statistical="" to="" were="">

Conclusions

Our results show that there is no correlation between a higher level of prenatal ultrasound exposure and hearing loss. Indeed, infants who had more prenatal ultrasounds in the third trimester were more likely to pass their screening hearing exams. The finding that children receiving more prenatal ultrasounds have a higher likelihood of passing newborn hearing screens serves as an excellent reminder of the classic statistics rule that correlation does not imply causation.

http://www.journalotohns.com/content/42/1/3/abstract

Link from www.sonoworld.com

This Is Research

I salute Dr. Peter Burns for his research into the wonderful world of contrast ultrasound.  It seems he has received another reward for his endeavors.  I would very much like him to come down to Houston and lecture at my school.  Ultrasound tissue elastography is the new kid on the block.  I have been speaking on this subject for a couple of years in terms of research.  Though I do not embrace particular companies for the technologies, I do shake hands with the pioneers of medical ultrasound.  Doctor Burns, Please come to Houston and allow me to congratulate you and hand you a cup of coffee before you begin a wonderful lecture at my school?

Thanks Heraldonline and ICUS

CHICAGO — SuperSonic Imagine, the ultrasound company that pioneered breakthrough ShearWave™ Elastography technology (SWE™), and UltraFast™ Doppler, today announced that Dr. Peter N. Burns, Ph.D. has received the company’s 2012 Aixplorer Achievement Award. Dr. Burns follows past recipients, Dr. Nancy Cappello, Are You Dense founder and Sherry Lansing, cancer research philanthropist and former Paramount Pictures CEO who received the first award in 2010. The SuperSonic Imagine Aixplorer Achievement Award was created to recognize, honor and celebrate the outstanding contribution of time, leadership or financial support made by individuals, companies or associations, to advance cancer research and awareness.

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/01/28/4574659/dr-peter-n-burns-receives-supersonic.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/01/28/4574659/dr-peter-n-burns-receives-supersonic.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy