METHOD FOR ENHANCING ULTRASOUND VISIBILITY OF HYPERECHOIC MATERIALS

摘要

A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

主权项

1. A method for making a dehydrated hydrogel material that expands in a controlled manner when hydrated, comprising the steps of:
applying an external force to the dehydrated hydrogel material to stretch the dehydrated hydrogel material from a repose configuration to a stretched configuration where the stretching exceeds the elastic limit of the dehydrated hydrogel material so that said dehydrated hydrogel material retains its substantially stretched position when the external force is removed; and hydrating the dehydrated hydrogel material by inserting it into tissue so that natural moisture in said tissue accomplishes said hydration; whereby the hydrated hydrogel is easily seen under ultrasound; and whereby said hydrated hydrogel material substantially returns to its unstretched, in repose configuration.