Patent ID: 7549985
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system to create and acoustically manipulate a microbubble within a volume of material, the system comprising: a pulsed laser for generating at least one laser pulse; an optical subsystem for directing the at least one laser pulse to the material wherein the at least one laser pulse propagates through the material to create a microbubble within the volume of material; an acoustic source for directing acoustic energy to the material wherein at least one acoustic wave propagates through the material to exert a radiation force at an exterior surface of the microbubble to controllably manipulate the microbubble and displace a central portion of the microbubble within the volume of material without causing the destruction of the microbubble; and an imaging subsystem measure elasticity of material in contact with the microbubble based on movement of the microbubble.