Ultrasonic microstreaming and related phenomena.

  • 1 March 1982
    • journal article
    • Vol. 5, 156-60
Abstract
It has been shown in recent work that biological cells and tissues are affected by low intensity ultrasound in the lower megahertz frequency range if small gas-filled channels or pores are present, with dimensions in the range of a few microns. When these gas bodies pulsate in response to the ultrasound they act on surrounding media by unique forms of radiation pressure, forces and torque; in liquids small-scale eddying is generated, known as microstreaming. It is probably by combinations of these phenomena that biological effects are produced.