Acoustic Cluster Bubbles for Targeted Ultrasound Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound ablation technologies, particularly High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), face limitations such as short microbubble circulation time, inefficient coupling with low frequency ultrasound, low spatial selectivity, and unintended heating away from the target site, leading to adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

Innovation Solution

The method combines ultrasound therapy with Acoustic Cluster Therapy (ACT) using a microbubble/microdroplet cluster composition that forms ablation-assisting bubbles, which are activated by ultrasound to enhance mechanical and thermal stress on the target region, allowing for real-time imaging and adjusted ultrasound exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If acoustic intensity is increased to achieve more efficient destruction of larger target volume, then ablation efficiency is improved, but energy deposition to surrounding healthy tissue increases causing adverse effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to surrounding healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses microbubbles as intermediary agents that are injected into the bloodstream and accumulate at the target site. These microbubbles serve as mediators that convert acoustic energy into mechanical cavitation effects locally at the target, allowing ablation to occur at lower overall acoustic intensities that do not damage surrounding healthy tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates localized cavitation effects by having microbubbles concentrate at the target site through their accumulation in the bloodstream. The cavitation activity is spatially confined to regions where microbubbles are present, enabling selective destruction of target tissue while leaving surrounding healthy tissue unaffected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of moving object

If microbubble circulation time is extended to allow complete HIFU treatment, then treatment completeness is improved, but microbubble stability deteriorates due to dissolution and dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobubble circulation timeVSAvoidmicrobubble stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite microbubble structures with shells made from various materials including lipids, proteins, or polymers that provide both stability against dissolution and appropriate circulation characteristics. These composite structures maintain integrity throughout the longer HIFU treatment duration while still allowing the desired cavitation effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Length of stationary object

If HIFU frequency is reduced to treat deep target tissue, then treatment depth is improved, but ablation efficiency deteriorates due to lower frequency effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment depthVSAvoidablation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using lower frequency HIFU waves (e.g., below 1 MHz) that can penetrate deeper into tissue, combined with microbubble enhancement that compensates for the reduced frequency efficiency. The microbubbles resonate and cavitate effectively at these lower frequencies, maintaining ablation capability while achieving deeper treatment depths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

ACT enhances ultrasound ablation efficiency by reducing energy deposition requirements, increasing treatment time, and minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissue, while providing precise ablation and real-time monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

activating a phase shift transition of the microdroplet component of the at least one cluster by ultrasound insonation to create the at least one ablation-assisting bubble

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shift transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical effect is cavitation wherein the HIFU sound field interacts with a gas bubble in the targeted tissue. Cavitation refers to a range of complex phenomena that involve the creation, oscillation, growth and collapse of bubbles within a medium.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS20260007751A1Ultrasound ablation enhanced by bubbles formed from a cluster composition administrated to a patient

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 EXACT THERAPEUTICS AS

AI summary

This disclosure provides a method of enhanced ultrasound ablation and a composition for the use thereof. The method may include creating at least one ablation-assisting bubble proximate to a target region by: administering a cluster composition, comprising a microbubble component and a microdroplet component, to a subject, wherein the cluster composition comprises at least one cluster; and activating a phase shift transition of the microdroplet component of the at least one cluster by ultrasound insonation to create the at least one ablation-assisting bubble; wherein an expansion from the transition of the at least one cluster to the at least one ablation-assisting bubble provides a mechanical stress on the target region to aid ablation on target tissue in the target region.