Abstract
Phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) for ultrasound-based applications have resulted in novel ways of approaching diagnostic and therapeutic techniques beyond what is possible with microbubble contrast agents and liquid emulsions. When subjected to sufficient pressures delivered by an ultrasound transducer, stabilized droplets undergo a phase-transition to the gaseous state and a volumetric expansion occurs. This phenomenon, termed acoustic droplet vaporization, has been proposed as a means to address a number of in vivo applications at the microscale and nanoscale. In this review, the history of PCCAs, physical mechanisms involved, and proposed applications are discussed with a summary of studies demonstrated in vivo. Factors that influence the design of PCCAs are discussed, as well as the need for future studies to characterize potential bioeffects for administration in humans and optimization of ultrasound parameters.
Keywords: Ultrasound, contrast agent, phase-change, acoustic droplet vaporization, perfluorocarbon, microbubble, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Phase-Change Contrast Agents for Imaging and Therapy
Volume: 18 Issue: 15
Author(s): Paul S. Sheeran and Paul A.Dayton
Affiliation:
Keywords: Ultrasound, contrast agent, phase-change, acoustic droplet vaporization, perfluorocarbon, microbubble, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging
Abstract: Phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) for ultrasound-based applications have resulted in novel ways of approaching diagnostic and therapeutic techniques beyond what is possible with microbubble contrast agents and liquid emulsions. When subjected to sufficient pressures delivered by an ultrasound transducer, stabilized droplets undergo a phase-transition to the gaseous state and a volumetric expansion occurs. This phenomenon, termed acoustic droplet vaporization, has been proposed as a means to address a number of in vivo applications at the microscale and nanoscale. In this review, the history of PCCAs, physical mechanisms involved, and proposed applications are discussed with a summary of studies demonstrated in vivo. Factors that influence the design of PCCAs are discussed, as well as the need for future studies to characterize potential bioeffects for administration in humans and optimization of ultrasound parameters.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
S. Sheeran Paul and A.Dayton Paul, Phase-Change Contrast Agents for Imaging and Therapy, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (15) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212800099883
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212800099883 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Preventing and Treating Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Dopamine Administration in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants:Emerging Issues on Endocrine Effects
Current Pediatric Reviews Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes. Evidence Based Medicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mechanical Circulatory Support of the Critically Ill Child Awaiting Heart Transplantation
Current Cardiology Reviews Haloperidol Cytotoxicity and Its Relation to Oxidative Stress
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nano-constructed Carriers Loaded With Antioxidant: Boon For Cardiovascular System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Acute Cardioembolic Cerebral Infarction: Answers to Clinical Questions
Current Cardiology Reviews Gastrointestinal Bleeding Associated With Warfarin and Rivaroxaban Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Cases with Concomitant Coagulopathy
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Potential Treatment of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure by Inhibiting the Sarcolemmal Binding of Phospholipase Cβ1b
Current Drug Targets Positive Social Interactions in a Lifespan Perspective with a Focus on Opioidergic and Oxytocinergic Systems: Implications for Neuroprotection
Current Neuropharmacology Syncope in a Child with Pulmonary Hypertension and Positive Gene Tests for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Long QT Syndrome
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic and Protective Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Pharmaceutical Agents and Current Vaccines Against COVID-19
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Utility of the Electrocardiogram in Drug Overdose and Poisoning: Theoretical Considerations and Clinical Implications
Current Cardiology Reviews Editorial (Thematic Issue: Calcium in Heart Disease: The Ubiquitous Ion)
Medicinal Chemistry Dysregulation of Acetylation Enzymes Inanimal Models of Psychostimulant use Disorders: Evolving Stories
Current Neuropharmacology Recreational Drug Misuse and Stroke
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Angiogenesis, Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity in Ischemic Stroke
Current Cardiology Reviews Hematopoietic Stem Cells Therapies
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Drug Repurposing Screen Identifies Novel Classes of Drugs with Anticancer Activity in Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening What Restricts the Clinical Use of Nicotinic Acid?
Current Vascular Pharmacology