Abstract |
Given the large number of cholecystectomies performed annually, a nonsurgical approach to gallstone therapy is of great interest. A laboratory ultrasound system has been developed to study enhancement of methyl-tert-butyl ether ( MTBE) dissolution of human gallstones in vitro. A mathematical model that quantitatively characterizes the dissolution process via a rate constant has been developed. Using this model, the kinetics of 15 gallstones from a single patient were evaluated for three dissolution methods: 1) unstirred MTBE, 2) aspirated MTBE, and 3) ultrasonically enhanced MTBE. The results showed excellent fits between the model and measured dissolution rates. 195 kHz continuous-wave (CW) ultrasonically enhanced dissolution rates exhibited a 6.2 fold gain over the manually aspirated MTBE and a 49.5 fold gain over static MTBE dissolution. Investigation of 50% duty cycle pulsed mode ultrasound revealed that total power appears to be the determinant of the observed dissolution rates. Gallstone calcification showed a strong correlation with dissolution rates measured by the model.
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Authors | C A McKinley, J W Hunt, J Ricketts, D S Lu, C S Ho, F S Foster |
Journal | Ultrasound in medicine & biology
(Ultrasound Med Biol)
Vol. 19
Issue 5
Pg. 375-83
( 1993)
ISSN: 0301-5629 [Print] England |
PMID | 8356781
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Ethers
- Methyl Ethers
- Solvents
- methyl tert-butyl ether
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Topics |
- Cholelithiasis
(drug therapy, therapy)
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Ethers
(therapeutic use)
- Evaluation Studies as Topic
- Humans
- In Vitro Techniques
- Methyl Ethers
- Solvents
(therapeutic use)
- Ultrasonic Therapy
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