NONINVASIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Our vital organs – our heart, brain, and liver – are protected by the skin, skull, and rib cage. But when the unexpected occurs and a man's liver is invaded by cancer or an elderly lady's memory begins to fade, these protective structures become problematic, preventing direct intervention. Our laboratory aims to generate the next generation of noninvasive microsurgical devices that would enable physicians to operate on vital organs without having to perform an incision. For patients, this implies not only accessible, pain-less, and infection-free techniques, but also therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities never achieved before. Our current focus is on three classes of devices:

A Noninvasive Capillary Permeabilisier for Drug Delivery

Molecular and Cellular Surgery

By using ultrasound and sonosensitive particles, we perform molecular and cellular surgery on structures, such as endothelial cells and capillaries. Using these techniques, we aim to safely and controllably deliver a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic agents including molecules, genes, nanoparticles, and cells. This technology is being developed for a wide range of diseases including the treatment of cancer.

A Noninvasive Acoustic Micropump for Drug Enhancement

Fluid Micropumping

By using ultrasound alone, we can enhance the distribution of drugs through tissue microenvironments. We are developing methods to enhance the distribution of molecules and nanoparticles. This technology is being developed for a range of diseases that includes cancer.

A Noninvasive Acoustic Particle Palpator for Measuring Tissue Elasticity

Remote Palpation

Devices and methods are also being developed to push tissue and track its displacement and relaxation to determine stiffness. This elasticity imaging technique provides a quantitative measure of a property, which has been linked to the progression of several diseases. This technology is being developed for early detection of liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.