Dual-Frequency Ultrasound Could Help Predict Strokes

Apr-29-14 Researchers have developed a dual-frequency ultrasound device able to determine when arterial plaque is in danger of breaking off, providing an earlier diagnosis of people at a high risk of stroke or heart attack.

Current methods of detecting this vulnerable plaque rely on the use of a contrast agent, which is drawn to the areas of vulnerable plaque and highlights them in ultrasound images. However, the intravascular ultrasound devices that have been being used in this method are not very good at detecting the contrast agents.

To improve the technique, the team created a dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound transducer, which operates on two frequencies to transmit and receive signals. According to Dr. Xiaoning Jiang,“Operating on two frequencies allows us to do everything the existing intravascular ultrasound devices can do, but also makes it much easier for us to detect the contrast agents – or microbubbles – used for molecular imaging and vasa vasorum detection.”

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY]

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