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Did you know that ultrasound can improve the effectiveness of drugs? How is this possible?
With the advancement of medical technology, ultrasound has begun to be widely used in drug treatment. Many studies have shown that this application can not only promote the absorption of drugs, but also improve their efficacy. From pain relief to cancer treatment, the potential applications of ultrasound are endless.
The history of ultrasound therapy can be traced back to the 1950s, when it was first introduced into clinical practice. Over time, many new technologies have been developed and gradually used in clinical applications.
The so-called therapeutic ultrasound usually refers to the technology of using ultrasound when performing drug treatment. In the past few decades, various types of ultrasound therapies have emerged in clinical practice, including lithotripsy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), etc. These technologies all demonstrate the contribution of ultrasound in improving drug efficacy.
Basic Principles of Ultrasound
The frequency of ultrasonic waves is usually between 800,000 Hz and 20,000,000 Hz, which is far beyond the hearing range of the human ear. When these high-frequency sound waves penetrate human tissue, they can cause biological effects that can affect the delivery and absorption of drugs.
Mechanisms of drug release
The mechanisms of ultrasound-assisted drug release mainly include:
- Improve tissue permeability: Ultrasound can cause cell membranes to vibrate, thereby increasing their permeability and allowing drugs to enter target tissues more effectively.
- Enhance blood flow: The heating effect of ultrasound can dilate blood vessels, promote blood flow, and increase the concentration of drugs in the area.
- Activation of drug carriers: When ultrasound is combined with drug carriers such as liposomes, it can promote the release and absorption of drugs.
Application of Ultrasound in Drug Delivery
Research shows that ultrasound technology could be used in cancer treatment, particularly in chemotherapy for brain cancer cells. This approach enables chemotherapy drugs to successfully penetrate the blood-brain barrier and be delivered directly to the lesion site.
Through focused ultrasound therapy, researchers have found that they can effectively improve the efficacy of drugs and reduce systemic side effects, which brings new hope to cancer patients.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is another medical technique that uses ultrasound. This technology uses high-intensity ultrasound pulses to break up stones, providing a non-invasive treatment option for patients with kidney stones or gallstones. Many studies have shown that the improvement in success rates using this method is quite significant.
Use of Ultrasound in Physical Therapy
The use of ultrasound in physical therapy has been shown to help relieve pain and promote tissue healing. Many clinical trials have confirmed that ultrasound has a good effect in treating certain sports injuries, especially in relieving pain and swelling.
Future Research Directions
Currently, scientists are exploring how to further utilize ultrasound technology to improve drug delivery and release. By developing more sophisticated ultrasound equipment, more efficient treatment strategies may emerge in the future.
The study points out that future ultrasound therapy may combine different drugs to achieve the best therapeutic effect, which may change the existing cancer treatment model.
Can ultrasound become one of the mainstream technologies in future medical treatment? This will depend on continued in-depth scientific research and extensive verification of clinical applications?
