Temperature dependent behavior of ultrasound contrast agents

Mulvana, H. , Stride, E., Hajnal, J.V. and Eckersley, R.J. (2010) Temperature dependent behavior of ultrasound contrast agents. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 36(6), pp. 925-934. (doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.03.003)

Abstract

Recent interest in ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) as tools for quantitative imaging and therapy has increased the need for accurate characterization. Laboratory investigations are frequently undertaken in a water bath at room temperature; however, implications for in vivo applications are not presented. Acoustic investigation of a bulk suspension of SonoVue (Bracco Research, Geneva, Switzerland) was made in a water bath at temperatures of 20–45 °C. UCA characteristics were significantly affected by temperature, particularly between 20 and 40 °C, leading to an increase in attenuation from 1.7–2.5 dB, respectively (p = 0.002) and a 2-dB increase in scattered signal over the same range (p = 0.05) at an insonation pressure of 100 kPa. Optical data supported the hypothesis that a temperature-mediated increase in diameter was the dominant cause, and revealed a decrease in bubble stability. In conclusion, measurements made at room temperature require careful interpretation with regard to behavior in vivo.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mulvana, Dr Helen
• Authors: Mulvana, H., Stride, E., Hajnal, J.V., and Eckersley, R.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0301-5629
• ISSN (Online): 1879-291X