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MITP Seminar: Histotripsy: Imaging Guided Non-invasive Ultrasound Therapy

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Zhen Xu, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan
MITP Visionary Speaker Serioes

Abstract:

Wouldn't it be great to perform a surgery without incision or bleeding? "Histotripsy" is a new non-invasive ultrasound ablation technique. Using ultrasound pulses applied from outside the body and focused to the diseased tissue, histotripsy produces a cluster of energetic microbubbles at the target tissue using the endogenous gas pockets. These microbubbles, each similar in size to individual cells, function as "mini-scalpels" to fractionate cell and tissue structures. The overlying tissue between the target tissue and the skin is not damaged and no incision is needed. These microbubbles can be clearly visualized on ultrasound imaging, which are used to guide and monitor the histotripsy treatment. Histotripsy has potential for many clinical applications where non-invasive tissue removal is desired. I will talk about the mechanism and instrumentation development of histotripsy as well as potential clinical applications of histotripsy including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and immunotherapy.

Contact: Pamela King