Bubble, bubble...spot the trouble

A cancer screening technique that uses ultrasound to track the movement of tiny gas bubbles around a patient’s blood system is claimed to be quicker and more accurate than existing diagnostic methods.

Developed by engineers at Siemens Medical Solutions in Germany, the technique is being used at a number of European hospitals for the diagnosis of liver cancer. It is also being evaluated for potential use in cardiology and breast cancer screening.

The technique works by injecting microscopic gas bubbles into a vein. These remain in the patient’s circulation for approximately 15 minutes before being harmlessly exhaled.

As they travel around the body, bubbles concentrate in characteristic patterns around potentially cancerous areas. The concentration is then monitored using a specially developed ultrasound technique known as Cadence Contrast Pulse Sequencing Technology (CPS).

This operates by transmitting specific sound sequences designed to make the gas bubbles oscillate. Processing is then used to separate the oscillation of the bubbles from that of the surrounding body.