Patent ID: 6962071
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: A61B,G01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A noninvasive measuring method for remotely determining local physical parameters of a fluid-filled cavity, based on the combined use of encapsulated or stabilized gas bubbles and ultrasound waves, comprising the steps of: a) administering encapsulated or stabilized gas bubbles to a fluid filled cavity; b) applying a first ultrasound pulsed wave or a train of pulsed waves to the fluid tilled cavity to destroy the encapsulated or stabilized gas bubbles and generate free-gas bubbles; c) applying a second ultrasound pulsed wave or train of pulsed waves at a frequency chosen for exciting the sub- and/or ultraharmonic response of the free-gas bubbles; d) determining the mean sub- and/or ultraharmonic response time corresponding to the mean time for sub- or ultraharmonics to appear after the generation of the free gas bubbles from the encapsulated or stabilized bubbles; and e) determining a value for a local physical parameter on the basis of the response time of step d).