Opening of the Blood-Brain Barrier by Low-Frequency (28-kHz) Ultrasound: A Novel Pinhole-Assisted Mechanical Scanning Device

Hao Li Liu*, Chia Hsin Pan, Cheng Yu Ting, Ming Jie Hsiao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may be transiently achieved via high-frequency focused spherical ultrasound in the presence of microbubbles. In this experimental animal study, we sought to determine whether focal reversible opening of the BBB may be achieved using low-frequency (i.e., 20-30 kHz) planar ultrasonic waves. In the presence of microbubbles, we were able to obtain BBB opening using non-focused ultrasound irradiation with a frequency as low as 28 kHz. We also achieved a tight regulation of the ultrasound patterns by using a mechanical scanning device equipped with a pinhole. Histologic examination of the brains supported the feasibility of our system. The areas of BBB disruption obtained with this method were large enough to cover a typical circumscribed cerebral tumor mass. The inherent advantages of our BBB opening method include an improved portability, the possibility to obtain fairly wide areas of BBB opening and a low incidence of hemorrhagic complications. In addition, our system has the potential to reduce the need for image guidance for treating superficial brain lesions. (E-mail: [email protected]).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)325-335
Number of pages11
JournalUltrasound in Medicine and Biology
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 02 2010

Keywords

  • Blood-brain barrier disruption
  • Low-frequency ultrasound
  • Pinhole-assisted mechanical scanning

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