The purpose of this article is to develop a simple mathematical model to address some bioeffects which may be caused by a static attractive force between two long neighboring parallel thin fibers (for example, a pair of collagen bundles of connective tissue) when they are insonificated by a continuous (CW) traveling plane ultrasound (US) under the condition that the fiber length (L)≫the distance between them (h) and h≪the wavelength of US (λ). The theory predicts that there is an attractive force between these fibers when they are exposed to the CW US with an intensity of a magnitude of 100mW/cm(2). The relationship between the relative approaching velocity of the fibers and the acoustic pressure amplitude can be calculated using the theory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUltrasound Med Biol
September 2010
Radiation force is a universal phenomenon in any wave motion, electromagnetic or acoustic. Although acoustic and electromagnetic waves are both characterized by time variation of basic quantities, they are also both capable of exerting a steady force called radiation force. In 1902, Lord Rayleigh published his classic work on the radiation force of sound, introducing the concept of acoustic radiation pressure, and some years later, further fundamental contributions to the radiation force phenomenon were made by L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article reviews the basic physics of ultrasound generation, acoustic field, and both inertial and non-inertial acoustic cavitation in the context of localized gene and drug delivery as well as non-linear oscillation of an encapsulated microbubble and its associated microstreaming and radiation force generated by ultrasound. The ultrasound thermal and mechanical bioeffects and relevant safety issues for in vivo applications are also discussed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis review examines the nonthermal physical mechanisms by which ultrasound can harm tissue in postnatal patients. First the physical nature of the more significant interactions between ultrasound and tissue is described, followed by an examination of the existing literature with particular emphasis on the pressure thresholds for potential adverse effects. The interaction of ultrasonic fields with tissue depends in a fundamental way on whether the tissue naturally contains undissolved gas under normal physiologic conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA model based on simplifying assumptions is described for the time course of an in vitro experiment in which a beam of ultrasound passes through a suspension of biological cells and gaseous contrast agents (UCAs). It is assumed that cavitation-related activation events (AEs) occur, during each of which a UCA is destroyed or becomes nonfunctional and, at the same time, nearby cells are lysed or otherwise altered. If the UCAs are highly concentrated, the ultrasound attenuation is high and may significantly affect the action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn 1980, the NCRP formed Scientific Committee 66 with an assignment to address the subject of "biological effects of ultrasound and exposure criteria." It was recognized that the primary source of exposure to ultrasound was through medical applications and, especially, through procedures employing diagnostic ultrasound. While the risk to patients from these procedures was believed small, it was considered important for users to understand it, in view of the widespread use of diagnostic ultrasound.
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