Microbubble-cloud behavior Simulation to Improve Focused Ultrasound Heating Effect using an Ultrasound Contrast Agent

The thermal effect ability of an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy was evaluated. This was done using a thermal effect simulation program using a microbubble-cloud model and modified Pennes Bio-Heat Transfer Equation (BHTE). In order to design the proposed simulation program, a spherical microbubble-cloud model was developed. Next, the proposed simulation program was experimentally investigated by ultrasound phantom experiments using commercial HIFU equipment and UCA, and the change of thermal effect according to the microbubble-cloud population ratio was measured. The HIFU thermal effect simulations using the properties of UCA were compared with the phantom experiments, which provided concordant results.