Seek + treat: Ultrasound targets kidney stones
Researchers at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) have been developing an an ultrasound technology that seeks to offer relief to those suffering from kidney stones and the results of the project could lead to new methods for both detecting and treating kidney stones.
"We have a diagnostic ultrasound machine that has enhanced capability to image kidney stones in the body," Michael Bailey, PhD, co-investigator for the project and a principal engineer at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a statement. "We also have a capability that uses ultrasound waves coming right through the skin to push small stones or pieces of stones toward the exit of the kidney, so they will naturally pass, avoiding surgery."
First developed as a way to address the unique challenges of finding and treating kidney stones among astronauts in space, the new technology detects stones with advanced ultrasound imaging based on a process called “Twinkling Artifact.” Using an ultrasound system’s Doppler mode, a kidney stone appears to be brightly colored and twinkling, which makes it stand out against the picture of the patient’s anatomy.
"At the same time, we have gone beyond Twinkling Artifact and utilized what we know with some other knowledge about kidney stones to create specific modes for kidney stones," Bailey said. "We present the stone in a way that looks like it is twinkling in an image in which the anatomy is black and white, with one brightly colored stone or multiple colored stones."
Once the stones are located, the ultrasound machine operator can select a stone to target, and then send a focused ultrasound wave, about half a millimeter in width, to move the stone toward the kidney's exit. The stone moves about one centimeter per second.
In addition to providing an alternative to surgery, focused ultrasound can be used to "clean up" after surgery.
"There are always residual fragments left behind after surgery," Bailey said. "Fifty percent of those patients will be back within five years for treatment. We can help those fragments pass."
The ultrasound technology being developed for NSBRI is not limited to kidney stone detection and removal. The technology also can be used to stop internal bleeding and ablate tumors.
"We have a diagnostic ultrasound machine that has enhanced capability to image kidney stones in the body," Michael Bailey, PhD, co-investigator for the project and a principal engineer at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a statement. "We also have a capability that uses ultrasound waves coming right through the skin to push small stones or pieces of stones toward the exit of the kidney, so they will naturally pass, avoiding surgery."
First developed as a way to address the unique challenges of finding and treating kidney stones among astronauts in space, the new technology detects stones with advanced ultrasound imaging based on a process called “Twinkling Artifact.” Using an ultrasound system’s Doppler mode, a kidney stone appears to be brightly colored and twinkling, which makes it stand out against the picture of the patient’s anatomy.
"At the same time, we have gone beyond Twinkling Artifact and utilized what we know with some other knowledge about kidney stones to create specific modes for kidney stones," Bailey said. "We present the stone in a way that looks like it is twinkling in an image in which the anatomy is black and white, with one brightly colored stone or multiple colored stones."
Once the stones are located, the ultrasound machine operator can select a stone to target, and then send a focused ultrasound wave, about half a millimeter in width, to move the stone toward the kidney's exit. The stone moves about one centimeter per second.
In addition to providing an alternative to surgery, focused ultrasound can be used to "clean up" after surgery.
"There are always residual fragments left behind after surgery," Bailey said. "Fifty percent of those patients will be back within five years for treatment. We can help those fragments pass."
The ultrasound technology being developed for NSBRI is not limited to kidney stone detection and removal. The technology also can be used to stop internal bleeding and ablate tumors.
Evan Godt, Writer
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.