The exhibition, driven by the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), delves into how ultrasound works and its increasing integration into healthcare, from its origins in nature observation to current diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
The exhibition details applications such as ultrasound and Doppler, key tools for minimally invasive procedures like biopsies or tumor treatments. It also covers the biological effects of ultrasound, such as heat generation and cavitation, fundamental in therapies like physiotherapy or lithotripsy for breaking kidney stones.
Pioneering research in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is highlighted, including histotripsy, an innovative technique for destroying tumors without incisions. Vall d'Hebron was a world pioneer in 2018, treating a liver tumor with histotripsy in humans, an achievement that has culminated in the CE mark for Histosonics.
The exhibition, conceived by Dr. Xavier Serres, an interventional radiologist at VHIR, has already toured various Catalan locations. In addition to disseminating knowledge, it aims to raise funds for research through an open crowdfunding campaign.
“"Disseminating knowledge is also part of our professional responsibility, and this is the open and committed spirit of the people at Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus. This is our commitment to service, as we want to contribute to enriching the cultural level of our country."
“"With this exhibition, we aim to reveal everyone's capacity for contemplation, observation, respect, and appreciation for nature, as a source of inspiration for science and technology, the progress of Medicine, and the sustainable growth of humanity."
The exhibition features explanatory panels, an immersive experience called "Cova del Ratpenat" (Bat Cave), an educational video, museum elements, and interactive experiments to discover the power of ultrasound.
