Multifunction intravascular ultrasound for microbubble based drug delivery

A compact, single element, mechanically rotated intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) transducer for microbubble-based drug delivery and imaging has been designed and fabricated. This device provides displacement, delivery, and imaging capabilities to enable microbubble-based delivery of a therapeutic drug and delivery verification. The IVUS transducer was designed and fabricated to operate at a center frequency of 7 MHz. Acoustic radiation radiation force displacement of microbubbles, fluorophore delivery using microbubbles in vitro and imaging capabilities were demonstrated. Finally, a fluorescent model drug was delivered under physiological flow conditions to an ex vivo porcine artery using the prototype IVUS.