ULTRASONIC THERAPY APPARATUS

摘要

An ultrasonic therapy apparatus for increasing the temperature of an affected part under treatment with high efficiency while reducing to a minimum the influence on other tissues than the part under treatment. The ultrasonic therapy apparatus comprises ultrasonic applying means for applying an ultrasonic wave to a tumor part. An ultrasonic wave is applied by the ultrasonic applying means to a tumor part of a subject to whom microbubbles are administered. As a result, the temperature of the tumor part is increased because of the heat generated from the microbubbles in vessels in the tumor part, thereby necrosing the tumor cells. In a preferred mode, the apparatus includes an ultrasonograph in which microbubbles are used as an ultrasonic contrast medium.