Increased Brain Perception and Boosted Senses Through Low-intensity Transcranial-focused Ultrasound

William Tyler focusing low intensity ultrasound on brain region responsible for processing tactile sensory inputs.
Credit: Jim Stroup/Virginia Tech

A study conducted at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute showed that low intensity, transcranial-focused ultrasound can increase the brain's sensory perception.

Ultrasound is a sound pressure wave that is at a frequency that is above the hearing range of humans. Ultrasound is used in various common application such as detectors, non-contact sensors, and specially in medical imaging.

Focused ultrasound is a procedure where ultrasound waves are aimed at a specific region of the body. It is a non-invasive technique to stimulate the targeted tissue or organ without disturbing the surrounding area.

In the study, focused ultrasound was sent to the cerebral cortex region to stimulate the median nerve. This area processes brain signals received from the hand. By doing so, scientists discovered that the test subject started to show significant improvements in the sensory perception tests administered to them. They increased their ability to distinguish the frequency of a chain of air puffs as well as note whether one pin or two pins was touching their skin at a very close distance.

This study is a positive step towards developing applications that can use ultrasound as a noninvasive tool for modulating brain activity.

Ultrasound Treatment Can Prevent and Treat Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Kidney Cross Section

A new study to be published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) shows that applying ultrasound to the kidneys prior to a major operation, where blood flow to the kidneys is disrupted, may help preserve and protect the kidneys after blood flow is restored. It is believed that the ultrasound treatment stimulates an anti-inflammatory response that protects the kidneys.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) happens when the kidneys are unable to filter waste products from the blood. This leads to a waste buildup in the blood which may reach to dangerous and even deadly levels. AKI, although reversible, can be fatal for critically ill patients.

Patients who have undergone major surgery are prone to acute kidney injury because the kidneys are deprived of normal blood flow during the procedure.

Ultrasound therapy have been in the forefront of non-invasive and drug free treatments for a host of conditions. Just recently, a study was published showing that ultrasound can also accelerate wound healing and tissue repair.

Another development in the medical utilization of ultrasound is ultrasound surgery which is used as a non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors.

Portable Ultrasound Treatment Developed To Accelerate Healing and Tissue Repair

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive therapy to accelerate healing and treat wounds such as venous ulcers using a battery operated ultrasound patch.

When the body has difficulty returning blood from the feet back to the heart, it causes complications such as venous ulcers. Venous ulcers are caused when blood backflows in the vein and blood starts to pool in the leg causing pressure which results in inflammation and formation of an ulcer.

Current treatments for venous ulcers takes months and even years to heal. The most popular treatment is compression therapy. In compression therapy, the patient wears elastic socks which squeezes the leg to prevent the blood from flowing backwards.

Researchers have discovered in human clinical trials, that by using an ultrasound patch combined with compression therapy, healing of the ulcers is accelerated. Initial studies show that 24 hours after undergoing a 15 minute ultrasound therapy, cell fibroblast metabolism increased by 32% and its proliferation went up by 40%. Fibroblasts are cells that are active in wound healing.

The portable ultrasound patch just weighs around 100 grams and is powered by two rechargeable lithium ion batteries. They have noted that the most efficient dose for the therapy is a 20khz frequency for 15 minutes.

Regenerative Heart Treatment Through Stem Cells, Nanoparticles, and Ultrasound

Researchers at Stanford University have devised a technique that may allow the treatment of damaged heart tissues through mesenchymal stem cells guided by nanoparticles and ultrasound. Mesenchymal stem cells are a type of stem cells found in human fat that can differentiate into beating heart cells

A common problem with using stem cell therapy in treating medical conditions is guiding the stem cells to the right organ. Short of an invasive surgical procedure such as surgery to directly apply stem cells to the affected area,it is virtually impossible to guarantee that the stem cells will address the specific problem by just injecting the stem cells into the body using a syringe.

Stem cell technology has been in the forefront of medical science research in addressing medical conditions that affect the brain, heart, and other complex organs. Although the premise is simple (stem cells can regenerate into tissues) the application is complicated.

With the use of silicon nanoparticles and ultrasound, the Stanford researchers have devised a way to track the movement of the stem cells as it travels through the body.

Commercial Sonic Devices Using Ultrasonic Frequencies Ineffective Against Bed Bugs

Studies initially show that ultrasonic bed bug repellers have no effect in the dispersion or eradication of these blood sucking insects.

Bed bug infestations have been in the news and have garnered much mainstream attention. From popular personalities to the common everyday person, no one is spared from these small blood sucking insects.

The bed bug (Cimex lectularius) are small wingless insects that feed on blood. They are guided to feed by the carbon dioxide exhaled by their victims. Although these bugs are associated to feed at night, they are not exclusively nocturnal.

Bed bugs does not cause any major illness. They do irritate the skin and can cause rashes or can be harmful for people with allergies. Most suffer psychological trauma more than anything when it comes to bed bugs.

What is Ultrasound Surgery?

Ultrasound surgery is a breakthrough technology that is a non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors. It is literally surgery without having to cut one's body or use any form or knives. And recovery time is much faster, immediate results for some. This is specially useful in surgical procedures involving sensitive organs such as the brain (see the second video, highly recommended).

Instead of scalpels and incisions, the physician uses mouse clicks and ultrasound.

Ultrasound is energy that can go through skin, muscle, fat and other soft tissues. Low-intensity ultrasound waves has no biologic effect on cells or tissues. Low intensity ultrasound waves are used for diagnostic imaging.

In ultrasound surgery, on the other hand, high-intensity ultrasound energy is focused on a small target volume inside the body. It raises the target tissue temperature high enough to destroy it. This process of using heat to destroy tissue is called thermal ablation.

Video: Ultrasound Surgery

To identify the target tissue, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used to differentiate the tissues in the area. MRI enables the identifying of the tumor and surrounding organs with high precision. This is called Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). The process of planning out sending a burst of ultrasound energy to the target is called sonication.

In Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), the procedure uses a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to identify tissues in the body. Focused Ultrasound energy is guided and controlled using MR thermal imaging. MRI provides a three-dimensional view of the target tissue, allowing for precise focusing of ultrasound energy within the desired area.

With the combination of MRI and focused Ultrasound, physicians can now control the energy of ultrasound to a precise area in the body.

The MRI provides the physician a real-time, thermal image of the area being treated. The doctor first sonicates the area to identify and verify the target. The first sonication, raises the target tissue by a few degrees. Once the target is verified, in the second sonication, cycles of ultrasound energy is generated to the target tissue raising its temperature to cause thermal ablation destroying the tissue.

Video: A more in depth of look at Ultrasound surgery. Highly recommended

Ultrasound surgery can extend the quality of life for many people. Applications for Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound are now being applied to people with Parkinson's disease, bone metastasis, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other diseases.