Characterization of Acoustic Properties of PVA-Shelled Ultrasound Contrast Agents
2010 (English)In: Ultrasound Contrast Agents: Targeting And Processing Methods For Theranostics / [ed] G. Paradosi, P. Pellegretti, A. Trucco, Italia: Springer-Verlag , 2010, p. 99-108Chapter in book (Other academic)
Abstract [en]
This work examines the acoustic behavior of ultrasound contrast agents made of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) shelled microbubbles manufactured at three different pH and temperature conditions. Backscattering amplitude, attenuation coefficient and phase velocity of ultrasonic waves propagating through suspensions of PVA contrast agents were measured at temperature values ranging between 24 oC and 37 oC in a frequency range from 3 MHz to 13 MHz. A significant enhancement of the backscattering amplitude and displaying a weak dependence on temperature were observed. Attenuation and phase velocity, on the other hand, showed higher sensitivity to temperature variations. The dependence on system parameters such as the number of cycles, frequency, and exposure of the peak negative pressure, Pthr, at which ultrasound contrast agents fracture was also investigated. The effects of temperature, blood, and, wherever data are available, of the dimension of the microbubbles on Pthr are also considered. The large shell thickness notwithstanding, the results of this investigation show that at room temperature PVA contrast agents fracture at negative peak pressure values within the recommended safety limit. Furthermore, Pthr decreases with increasing temperature, radius of the microbubbles, and number of cycles of the incident wave. In conclusion, these results suggest that PVA-shelled microbubbles may offer a potentially viable system to be employed for both imaging and therapeutic purposes.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Italia: Springer-Verlag , 2010. p. 99-108
Keywords [en]
ultrasound, contrast agent, linear, nonlinear, oscillation
National Category
Fluid Mechanics Medical Laboratory Technologies Medical and Health Sciences Chemical Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-26982ISBN: 978-88-470-1493-0 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-26982DiVA, id: diva2:373632
Projects
SIGHT
Funder
EU, European Research Council, FP6-IST-2005-2.5.2
Note
QC 20101209
2010-12-012010-12-012025-02-09Bibliographically approved