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
-
Mechanisms of the Beneficial Actions of Ischemic Preconditioning on Subcellular Remodeling in Ischemic-Reperfused Heart
Current Cardiology Reviews Thyroid Hormone Antagonists: Potential Medical Applications and Structure Activity Relationships
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cerebral White Matter Lesions, Risk of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Protection with Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Current Drug Therapy New Therapeutic Aspects of Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Systemic Sclerosis
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Therapeutic Potential of Peptide Toxins that Target Ion Channels
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) New Drugs and Treatment Regimens
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Efficacy and Safety of H1-Antihistamines: An Update
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Postoperative Delirium
Current Drug Targets Circulating Levels of Uric Acid and Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
Current Diabetes Reviews MicroRNAs as Diagnostic, Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers of Cardiac Disease
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Therapeutic Potential of Nitrate Esters of Commonly Used Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry In Silico hERG Modeling: Challenges and Progress
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Molecular Aspects of Modulation of L-type Calcium Channels by Protein Kinase C
Current Molecular Pharmacology Biomarkers for Diagnosing and Staging of Fabry Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNAs: Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Application of PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Current Medical Imaging Resveratrol and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Nutrition & Food Science Beta-2 Agonists in Asthma: Medicine or Murderer?
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Sigma Receptor Activation Reduces Infarct Size at 24 Hours After Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats
Current Neurovascular Research