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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 925-934 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2010 |
Keywords
- ultrasound
- contrast agents
- microbubbles
- temperature
- attenuation
- scattering