A METHOD TO MEASURE AMBIENT FLUID PRESSURE

摘要

A method is provided for measuring real time ambient pressure at a region of interest in a fluid-filled body cavity by introducing into the cavity a composition of gas-containing micro-bubbles having a predetermined fragility threshold correlating to the rupture response of their capsules to the ambient fluid pressure, and/or applied acoustic pressure. An ultrasonic signal is applied at the region of interest at a power level sufficient to destroy the micro-bubble population having a fragility threshold below the applied power level. The ultrasound backscatter response (AD) is detected from the population of intact, the disintegrating micro-bubbles remaining at the region of interest, and this backscatter signal is correlated to predetermined acoustic response properties to determine the ambient pressure (mm Hg) at the region of interest.