Methods and devices for manipulation of target cells using a combined application of acoustical and optical radiations

Abstract

A method of applying a nondestructive mechanical force on one or more cells in aqueous environment by inducing heat generated acoustic pressure pulses. The method comprises providing an energy transmission pattern to induce the applying of a desired nondestructive mechanical force on a at least one cell by forming a plurality of heat generated acoustic pressure pulses in an aqueous environment and instructing the radiation of a target area in proximity to the at least one cell in the aqueous environment with light energy according to the energy transmission pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a nondestructive mechanical force on one or more cells in aqueous environment by inducing heat generated acoustic pressure pulses, comprising:
 providing an energy transmission pattern to induce the applying of a desired nondestructive mechanical force on a at least one cell by forming a plurality of heat generated acoustic pressure pulses in an aqueous environment; and   instructing the radiation of a target area in proximity to said at least one cell in said aqueous environment with light energy according to said energy transmission pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said instructing comprises synchronizing the radiation of said target area with light energy with the radiation of an ultrasound energy according to said energy transmission pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said synchronizing comprises synchronizing the radiation of said target area with said ultrasound energy and said light energy with an estimated oscillation pattern of a cell membrane of said at least one cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said synchronizing increases the oscillation amplitude of said cell membrane of said at least one cell in relation to oscillation amplitude caused by a radiation of said light energy according to said energy transmission pattern without said ultrasound energy. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said synchronizing comprises forming a shock wave in said target area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said synchronizing comprises forming a pressure pulse as an outcome of rapid thermal expansion without forming a vapor bubble. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising placing at least one chromophore in said target area; wherein said synchronizing comprises evaporating liquid in said aqueous environment around said at least one chromophore to form at least one vapor bubble therearound. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light energy is a high repetition rate light pulses source that generates light pulses at a rate of at least 100 kilohertz (kHz). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said target area in an intrabody target area. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing at least one chromophore in said target area. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one chromophore comprises at least one nanoparticle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one chromophore comprises at least one red blood cell. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one chromophore comprises at least one liposome. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said target area comprises at least one chromophore which is intrinsic to a tissue which comprises said at least one cell. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cell comprises a nerve cell, said desired nondestructive mechanical force is set to trigger a stimulation of said at least one cell. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cell comprises a nerve cell, said desired nondestructive mechanical force is set to suppress a stimulation of said at least one cell. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said desired nondestructive mechanical force is to generate superficial blood vessels in a tissue comprising said at least one cell. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said desired nondestructive mechanical force is to effect permeability of a membrane of said at least one cell.