Methods, systems and devices are provided for monitoring and quantifying
the movement of fluid in a target region. Generally, an imaging agent is
introduced into a target region through fluid flow. The imaging agent in
the target region is then disrupted using appropriate methods such as the
application of ultrasonic energy. As fluid flow brings undisrupted
imaging agent into the target region, the rate of accumulation is
monitored and quantified thereby providing the exchange rate and flow
rate of the fluid in the target region. The disclosed invention is
particularly useful for medical applications such as determining the flow
rate of blood in an organ or tissue.