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Melich R, Emmel P, Vivien A, Sechaud F, Mandaroux C, Mhedhbi S, Bussat P, Tardy I, Cherkaoui S. In Vitro and In Vivo Behavioral Evaluation of Condensed Lipid-Coated Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024; 50:1010-1019. [PMID: 38637170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phase-shift contrast agents consist of a liquid perfluorocarbon core that can be vaporized by ultrasound to generate echogenic contrast with excellent spatiotemporal control. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo behavior of condensed lipid-shelled nanodroplets (NDs) using different analytical procedures. METHODS Perfluorobutane NDs were prepared by condensation of precursor fluorescently labeled lipid-shelled microbubbles (MBs) and were characterized in terms of size distribution, gas core content and in vitro stability in blood, as well as for their acoustic vaporization behavior using a custom-made setup. In particular, the in vivo behavior of the NDs was thoroughly investigated after intravenous bolus injection in rats. To this end, we report, for the first time, the efficient use of three complementary detection procedures to assess the in vivo persistence of NDs: (i) ultrasound contrast imaging of vaporized NDs, (ii) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the perfluorobutane core content and (iii) fluorescence intensity measurement in the collected blood samples. RESULTS The Coulter Counter Multisizer results confirmed the size distribution shift post-condensation. Furthermore, similar PFB concentrations from MB and ND suspensions were obtained, indicating an exceptionally low rate of MB breakage and spontaneous nanodroplet vaporization. As expected, these nanoscale droplets have longer circulation times compared with clinically approved MBs, and only slight variations in half-life were observed between the three monitoring procedures. Finally, echogenic signal observed in focal areas of the liver and spleen after vaporization was confirmed by accumulation of fluorescent nanodroplets in these organs. CONCLUSION These results further contribute to our understanding of both the in vitro and in vivo behavior of sono-responsive nanodroplets, which is key to enabling efficient clinical translation.
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Carlier B, Heymans SV, Nooijens S, Collado-Lara G, Toumia Y, Delombaerde L, Paradossi G, D’hooge J, Van Den Abeele K, Sterpin E, Himmelreich U. A Preliminary Investigation of Radiation-Sensitive Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Photon Dosimetry. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:629. [PMID: 38794199 PMCID: PMC11125270 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy treatment plans have become highly conformal, posing additional constraints on the accuracy of treatment delivery. Here, we explore the use of radiation-sensitive ultrasound contrast agents (superheated phase-change nanodroplets) as dosimetric radiation sensors. In a series of experiments, we irradiated perfluorobutane nanodroplets dispersed in gel phantoms at various temperatures and assessed the radiation-induced nanodroplet vaporization events using offline or online ultrasound imaging. At 25 °C and 37 °C, the nanodroplet response was only present at higher photon energies (≥10 MV) and limited to <2 vaporization events per cm2 per Gy. A strong response (~2000 vaporizations per cm2 per Gy) was observed at 65 °C, suggesting radiation-induced nucleation of the droplet core at a sufficiently high degree of superheat. These results emphasize the need for alternative nanodroplet formulations, with a more volatile perfluorocarbon core, to enable in vivo photon dosimetry. The current nanodroplet formulation carries potential as an innovative gel dosimeter if an appropriate gel matrix can be found to ensure reproducibility. Eventually, the proposed technology might unlock unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution in image-based dosimetry, thanks to the combination of high-frame-rate ultrasound imaging and the detection of individual vaporization events, thereby addressing some of the burning challenges of new radiotherapy innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Carlier
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (L.D.); (E.S.)
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie V. Heymans
- Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kortrijk—KULAK, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium; (S.V.H.); (K.V.D.A.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.N.); (J.D.)
| | - Sjoerd Nooijens
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.N.); (J.D.)
| | - Gonzalo Collado-Lara
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Yosra Toumia
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics, INFN Sezione di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laurence Delombaerde
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (L.D.); (E.S.)
- Department of Radiotherapy, UH Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Jan D’hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.N.); (J.D.)
| | - Koen Van Den Abeele
- Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kortrijk—KULAK, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium; (S.V.H.); (K.V.D.A.)
| | - Edmond Sterpin
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (L.D.); (E.S.)
- Particle Therapy Interuniversity Center Leuven—PARTICLE, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Shakya G, Cattaneo M, Guerriero G, Prasanna A, Fiorini S, Supponen O. Ultrasound-responsive microbubbles and nanodroplets: A pathway to targeted drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 206:115178. [PMID: 38199257 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound-responsive agents have shown great potential as targeted drug delivery agents, effectively augmenting cell permeability and facilitating drug absorption. This review focuses on two specific agents, microbubbles and nanodroplets, and provides a sequential overview of their drug delivery process. Particular emphasis is given to the mechanical response of the agents under ultrasound, and the subsequent physical and biological effects on the cells. Finally, the state-of-the-art in their pre-clinical and clinical implementation are discussed. Throughout the review, major challenges that need to be overcome in order to accelerate their clinical translation are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazendra Shakya
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Marco Cattaneo
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Guerriero
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Anunay Prasanna
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Samuele Fiorini
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Outi Supponen
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland.
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Abeid BA, Fabiilli ML, Estrada JB, Aliabouzar M. Ultra-high-speed dynamics of acoustic droplet vaporization in soft biomaterials: Effects of viscoelasticity, frequency, and bulk boiling point. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2024; 103:106754. [PMID: 38252981 PMCID: PMC10830863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Phase-shift droplets are a highly adaptable platform for biomedical applications of ultrasound. The spatiotemporal response of phase-shift droplets to focused ultrasound above a certain pressure threshold, termed acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV), is influenced by intrinsic features (e.g., bulk boiling point) and extrinsic factors (e.g., driving frequency and surrounding media). A deep understanding of ADV dynamics is critical to ensure the robustness and repeatability of an ADV-assisted application. Here, we integrated ultra-high-speed imaging, at 10 million frames per second, and confocal microscopy for a full-scale (i.e., from nanoseconds to seconds) characterization of ADV. Experiments were conducted in fibrin-based hydrogels to mimic soft tissue environments. Effects of fibrin concentration (0.2 to 8 % (w/v)), excitation frequency (1, 2.5, and 9.4 MHz), and perfluorocarbon core (perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane, and perfluorooctane) on ADV dynamics were studied. Several fundamental parameters related to ADV dynamics, such as expansion ratio, expansion velocity, collapse radius, collapse time, radius of secondary rebound, resting radius, and equilibrium radius of the generated bubbles were extracted from the radius vs time curves. Diffusion-driven ADV-bubble growth was fit to a modified Epstein-Plesset equation, adding a material stress term, to estimate the growth rate. Our results indicated that ADV dynamics were significantly impacted by fibrin concentration, frequency, and perfluorocarbon liquid core. This is the first study to combine ultra-high-speed and confocal microscopy techniques to provide insights into ADV bubble dynamics in tissue-mimicking hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bachir A Abeid
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan B Estrada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Mitra Aliabouzar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA; Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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5
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Feng K, Li X, Huang A, Wan M, Zong Y. Effect of tissue viscoelasticity and adjacent phase-changed microbubbles on vaporization process and direct growth threshold of nanodroplet in an ultrasonic field. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 101:106665. [PMID: 37922720 PMCID: PMC10643523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the behavior of nanodroplets converted into microbubbles with applied ultrasound is an important problem in tumor therapeutical and diagnostic applications. In this study, a comprehensive model is proposed to investigate the vaporization process and the direct growth threshold of the nanodroplet by following the vapor bubble growth, especially attention devoted to the effect of tissue viscoelasticity and adjacent phase-changed microbubbles (PCMBs). It is shown that the ultrasonic energy must be sufficiently strong to counterbalance the natural condensation of the vapor bubble and the tissue stiffness-inhibitory effect. The softer tissue with a lower shear modulus favors the vaporization process, and the nanodroplet has a lower direct growth threshold in the softer tissue. Moreover, the adjacent PCMBs show a suppression effect on the vaporization process due to the negative value of the secondary Bjerknes force, implying an attractive force, preventing the nanodroplet from escaping from the constraint of the adjacent PCMBs. However, according to the linear scattering theory, the attractive force signifies that the constraint is weak, causing the direct growth threshold to increase in the range of 0.09-0.24 MPa. The weak increase in threshold demonstrates that the direct growth threshold is relatively unaffected by the adjacent PCMBs. The prediction results of our model are in good agreement with the experiment results obtained by the echo enhancement method, in which the threshold is relatively independent of the intermediate concentration. The findings presented here provide physical insight that will be further helpful in understanding the complex behavior of the nanodroplet responses to ultrasound in practical medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangyi Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Anqi Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yujin Zong
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China.
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Lyons B, Balkaran JPR, Dunn-Lawless D, Lucian V, Keller SB, O’Reilly CS, Hu L, Rubasingham J, Nair M, Carlisle R, Stride E, Gray M, Coussios C. Sonosensitive Cavitation Nuclei-A Customisable Platform Technology for Enhanced Therapeutic Delivery. Molecules 2023; 28:7733. [PMID: 38067464 PMCID: PMC10708135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound-mediated cavitation shows great promise for improving targeted drug delivery across a range of clinical applications. Cavitation nuclei-sound-sensitive constructs that enhance cavitation activity at lower pressures-have become a powerful adjuvant to ultrasound-based treatments, and more recently emerged as a drug delivery vehicle in their own right. The unique combination of physical, biological, and chemical effects that occur around these structures, as well as their varied compositions and morphologies, make cavitation nuclei an attractive platform for creating delivery systems tuned to particular therapeutics. In this review, we describe the structure and function of cavitation nuclei, approaches to their functionalization and customization, various clinical applications, progress toward real-world translation, and future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lyons
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Joel P. R. Balkaran
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Darcy Dunn-Lawless
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Veronica Lucian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Sara B. Keller
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Colm S. O’Reilly
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK;
| | - Luna Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Jeffrey Rubasingham
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Malavika Nair
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Robert Carlisle
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Michael Gray
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Constantin Coussios
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
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Zhao AX, Zhu YI, Chung E, Lee J, Morais S, Yoon H, Emelianov S. Factors Influencing the Repeated Transient Optical Droplet Vaporization Threshold and Lifetimes of Phase Change, Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2238. [PMID: 37570555 PMCID: PMC10421047 DOI: 10.3390/nano13152238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (PFCnDs) are sub-micrometer emulsions composed of a surfactant-encased perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid and can be formulated to transiently vaporize through optical stimulation. However, the factors governing repeated optical droplet vaporization (ODV) have not been investigated. In this study, we employ high-frame-rate ultrasound (US) to characterize the ODV thresholds of various formulations and imaging parameters and identify those that exhibit low vaporization thresholds and repeatable vaporization. We observe a phenomenon termed "preconditioning", where initial laser pulses generate reduced US contrast that appears linked with an increase in nanodroplet size. Variation in laser pulse repetition frequency is found not to change the vaporization threshold, suggesting that "preconditioning" is not related to residual heat. Surfactants (bovine serum albumin, lipids, and zonyl) impact the vaporization threshold and imaging lifetime, with lipid shells demonstrating the best performance with relatively low thresholds (21.6 ± 3.7 mJ/cm2) and long lifetimes (t1/2 = 104 ± 21.5 pulses at 75 mJ/cm2). Physiological stiffness does not affect the ODV threshold and may enhance nanodroplet stability. Furthermore, PFC critical temperatures are found to correlate with vaporization thresholds. These observations enhance our understanding of ODV behavior and pave the way for improved nanodroplet performance in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew X. Zhao
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Yiying I. Zhu
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA (E.C.); (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Euisuk Chung
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA (E.C.); (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Jeehyun Lee
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA (E.C.); (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Samuel Morais
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA (E.C.); (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Heechul Yoon
- School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin-si 16890, Republic of Korea;
| | - Stanislav Emelianov
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA (E.C.); (J.L.); (S.M.)
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Alcaraz PE, Davidson SJ, Shreeve E, Meuschke R, Romanowski M, Witte RS, Porter TR, Matsunaga TO. Thermal and Acoustic Stabilization Of Volatile Phase-Change Contrast Agents Via Layer-By-Layer Assembly. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1058-1069. [PMID: 36797095 PMCID: PMC10050125 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) are perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (NDs) that have been widely studied for ultrasound imaging in vitro, pre-clinical studies, and most recently incorporated a variant of PCCAs, namely a microbubble-conjugated microdroplet emulsion, into the first clinical studies. Their properties also make them attractive candidates for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including drug-delivery, diagnosis and treatment of cancerous and inflammatory diseases, as well as tumor-growth tracking. However, control over the thermal and acoustic stability of PCCAs both in vivo and in vitro has remained a challenge for expanding the potential utility of these agents in novel clinical applications. As such, our objective was to determine the stabilizing effects of layer-by-layer assemblies and its effect on both thermal and acoustic stability. METHODS We utilized layer-by-layer (LBL) assemblies to coat the outer PCCA membrane and characterized layering by measuring zeta potential and particle size. Stability studies were conducted by; 1) incubating the LBL-PCCAs at atmospheric pressure at 37∘C and 45∘C followed by; 2) ultrasound-mediated activation at 7.24 MHz and peak-negative pressures ranging from 0.71 - 5.48 MPa to ascertain nanodroplet activation and resultant microbubble persistence. The thermal and acoustic properties of decafluorobutane gas-condensed nanodroplets (DFB-NDs) layered with 6 and 10 layers of charge-alternating biopolymers, (LBL6NDs and LBL10NDs) respectively, were studied and compared to non-layered DFB-NDs. Half-life determinations were conducted at both 37∘C and 45∘C with acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) measurements occurring at 23∘C. DISCUSSION Successful application of up to 10 layers of alternating positive and negatively charged biopolymers onto the surface membrane of DFB-NDs was demonstrated. Two major claims were substantiated in this study; namely, (1) biopolymeric layering of DFB-NDs imparts a thermal stability up to an extent; and, (2) both LBL6NDs and LBL10NDs did not appear to alter particle acoustic vaporization thresholds, suggesting that the thermal stability of the particle may not necessarily be coupled with particle acoustic vaporization thresholds. CONCLUSION Results demonstrate that the layered PCCAs had higher thermal stability, where the half-lifes of the LBLxNDs are significantly increased after incubation at 37∘C and 45∘C. Furthermore, the acoustic vaporization profiles the DFB-NDs, LBL6NDs, and LBL10NDs show that there is no statistically significant difference between the acoustic vaporization energy required to initiate acoustic droplet vaporization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Enrique Alcaraz
- College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1630 E University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721 United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 85719 United States
| | - Skylar J Davidson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States
| | - Evan Shreeve
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States
| | - Rainee Meuschke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States
| | - Marek Romanowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States
| | - Russell S Witte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 85719 United States
| | - Thomas R Porter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Terry O Matsunaga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719 United States; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 85719 United States.
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9
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Collado-Lara G, Heymans SV, Rovituso M, Sterpin E, D'hooge J, Vos HJ, Abeele KVD, de Jong N. Analytic prediction of droplet vaporization events to estimate the precision of ultrasound-based proton range verification. Med Phys 2023. [PMID: 36856326 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The safety and efficacy of proton therapy is currently hampered by range uncertainties. The combination of ultrasound imaging with injectable radiation-sensitive superheated nanodroplets was recently proposed for in vivo range verification. The proton range can be estimated from the distribution of nanodroplet vaporization events, which is stochastically related to the stopping distribution of protons, as nanodroplets are vaporized by protons reaching their maximal LET at the end of their range. PURPOSE Here, we aim to estimate the range estimation precision of this technique. As for any stochastic measurement, the precision will increase with the sample size, that is, the number of detected vaporizations. Thus, we first develop and validate a model to predict the number of vaporizations, which is then applied to estimate the range verification precision for a set of conditions (droplet size, droplet concentration, and proton beam parameters). METHODS Starting from the thermal spike theory, we derived a model that predicts the expected number of droplet vaporizations in an irradiated sample as a function of the droplet size, concentration, and number of protons. The model was validated by irradiating phantoms consisting of size-sorted perfluorobutane droplets dispersed in an aqueous matrix. The number of protons was counted with an ionization chamber, and the droplet vaporizations were recorded and counted individually using high frame rate ultrasound imaging. After validation, the range estimate precision was determined for different conditions using a Monte Carlo algorithm. RESULTS A good agreement between theory and experiments was observed for the number of vaporizations, especially for large (5.8 ± 2.2 µm) and medium (3.5 ± 1.1 µm) sized droplets. The number of events was lower than expected in phantoms with small droplets (2.0 ± 0.7 µm), but still within the same order of magnitude. The inter-phantom variability was considerably larger (up to 30x) than predicted by the model. The validated model was then combined with Monte Carlo simulations, which predicted a theoretical range retrieval precision improving with the square-root of the number of vaporizations, and degrading at high beam energies due to range straggling. For single pencil beams with energies between 70 and 240 MeV, a range verification precision below 1% of the range required perfluorocarbon concentrations in the order of 0.3-2.4 µM. CONCLUSION We proposed and experimentally validated a model to provide a quick estimate of the number of vaporizations for a given set of conditions (droplet size, droplet concentration, and proton beam parameters). From this model, promising range verification performances were predicted for realistic perfluorocarbon concentrations. These findings are an incentive to move towards preclinical studies, which are critical to assess the achievable droplet distribution in and around the tumor, and hence the in vivo range verification precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Collado-Lara
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie V Heymans
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Edmond Sterpin
- Department of Oncology, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium.,Center of Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology, IREC Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik J Vos
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico de Jong
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Silwal A, Upadhyay A, Shakya G, Inzunza-Ibarra M, Murray T, Ding X, Borden MA. Photoacoustic Vaporization of Endoskeletal Droplets Loaded with Zinc Naphthalocyanine. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:168-176. [PMID: 36524827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Vaporizable endoskeletal droplets are solid hydrocarbons in liquid fluorocarbon droplets in which melting of the hydrocarbon phase leads to the vaporization of the fluorocarbon phase. In prior work, vaporization of the endoskeletal droplets was achieved thermally by heating the surrounding aqueous medium. In this work, we introduce a near-infrared (NIR) optically absorbing naphthalocyanine dye (zinc 2,11,20,29-tetra-tert-butyl-2,3-naphthalocynanine) into the solid hydrocarbon (eicosane, n-C20H42) core of liquid fluorocarbon (C5F12) drops suspended in an aqueous medium. Droplets with a uniform diameter of 11.7 ± 0.7 μm were formed using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. The solid hydrocarbon formed a crumpled spherical structure within the liquid fluorocarbon droplet. The photoactivation behavior of these dye-containing endoskeletal droplets was investigated using NIR laser irradiation. When exposed to a pulsed laser of 720 nm wavelength, the dye-containing droplets vaporized at an average laser fluence of 65 mJ/cm2, whereas blank droplets without the dye did not vaporize at any fluence up to 100 mJ/cm2. Furthermore, dye-loaded droplets with a smaller, polydisperse size distribution were prepared using a simple shaking method and studied in a flow phantom for their photoacoustic signal and ultrasound contrast imaging. These results demonstrate that dye-containing endoskeletal droplets can be made to vaporize by externally applied optical energy. Such droplets may be useful for a variety of photoacoustic applications for sensing, imaging, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Silwal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Awaneesh Upadhyay
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Gazendra Shakya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Marco Inzunza-Ibarra
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Todd Murray
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
- Biomaterial Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
- Biomaterial Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Mark A Borden
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
- Biomaterial Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
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11
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Zhao Y, Qin D, Chen J, Hou J, Ilovitsh T, Wan M, Wu L, Feng Y. On-demand regulation and enhancement of the nucleation in acoustic droplet vaporization using dual-frequency focused ultrasound. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2022; 90:106224. [PMID: 36368292 PMCID: PMC9649937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) plays an important role in focused ultrasound theranostics. Better understanding of the relationship between the ultrasound parameters and the ADV nucleation could provide an on-demand regulation and enhancement of ADV for improved treatment outcome. In this work, ADV nucleation was performed in a dual-frequency focused ultrasound configuration that consisted of a continuous low-frequency ultrasound and a short high-frequency pulse. The combination was modelled to investigate the effects of the driving frequency and acoustic power on the nucleation rate, efficiency, onset time, and dimensions of the nucleation region. The results showed that the inclusion of short pulsed high-frequency ultrasound significantly increased the nucleation rate with less energy, reduced the nucleation onset time, and changed the length-width ratio of the nucleation region, indicating the dual-frequency ultrasound mode yields an efficient enhancement of the ADV nucleation, compared to a single-frequency ultrasound mode. Furthermore, the acoustic and temperature fields varied independently with the dual-frequency ultrasound parameters. This facilitated the spatial and temporal control over the ADV nucleation, and opens the door to the possibility to realize on-demand regulation of the ADV occurrence in ultrasound theranostics. In addition, the improved energy efficacy that is obtained with the dual-frequency configuration lowered the requirements on hardware system, increasing its flexibility and could facilitate its implementation in practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Dui Qin
- School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Hou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Tali Ilovitsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Huang J, Wang H, Huang L, Zhou Y. Phospholipid-mimicking block, graft, and block-graft copolymers for phase-transition microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:968835. [PMCID: PMC9606805 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Lipid and polymer microbubbles (MBs) are widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in clinical diagnosis, and possess great potential in ultrasound-mediated therapy due to their drug loading function. However, overcoming the limitations of stability and echo enhancement of MBs are still a considerable challenge.Methods: A series novel block, graft and block-graft copolymers was proposed and prepared in this work, and these copolymers were used as shells to encapsulate perfluoropentane as ultrasound contrast agents. First, block, graft and block-graft copolymers with different topological structures were prepared. Then, these copolymers were prepared into block copolymer phase-transition MBs, graft copolymer phase-transition MBs, and block-graft copolymer phase-transition MBs, respectively. Finally, the dexamethasone was used for drug-loaded phase-transition microbubbles model to explore the potential of theranostic microbubbles.Results: Finally, these three resulting copolymer MBs with average size of 4–5 μm exhibited well enhancement of ultrasound imaging under the influence of different frequencies and mechanical index, and they exhibited a longer contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging time and higher resistance to mechanical index compared with SonoVue in vitro and in vivo. In vitro drug release results also showed that these copolymer MBs could encapsulate dexamethasone drugs, and the drug release could be enhanced by ultrasonic triggering. These copolymer MBs were therapeutic MBs for targeted triggering drug release.Conclusion: Therefore, the feasibility of block, graft, and block-graft copolymers as ultrasonic contrast agents was verified, and their ultrasonic enhancement performance in vitro and in vivo was compared. The ultrasound contrast agents developed in this work have excellent development potential in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Huang
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Ultrasound Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Ultrasound Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Wang,
| | - Lei Huang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Ultrasound Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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13
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Welch PJ, Li DS, Forest CR, Pozzo LD, Shi C. Perfluorocarbon nanodroplet size, acoustic vaporization, and inertial cavitation affected by lipid shell composition in vitro. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:2493. [PMID: 36319242 PMCID: PMC9812515 DOI: 10.1121/10.0014934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (PFCnDs) are ultrasound contrast agents that phase-transition from liquid nanodroplets to gas microbubbles when activated by laser irradiation or insonated with an ultrasound pulse. The dynamics of PFCnDs can vary drastically depending on the nanodroplet composition, including the lipid shell properties. In this paper, we investigate the effect of varying the ratio of PEGylated to non-PEGylated phospholipids in the outer shell of PFCnDs on the acoustic nanodroplet vaporization (liquid to gas phase transition) and inertial cavitation (rapid collapse of the vaporized nanodroplets) dynamics in vitro when insonated with focused ultrasound. Nanodroplets with a high concentration of PEGylated lipids had larger diameters and exhibited greater variance in size distribution compared to nanodroplets with lower proportions of PEGylated lipids in the lipid shell. PFCnDs with a lipid shell composed of 50:50 PEGylated to non-PEGylated lipids yielded the highest B-mode image intensity and duration, as well as the greatest pressure difference between acoustic droplet vaporization onset and inertial cavitation onset. We demonstrate that slight changes in lipid shell composition of PFCnDs can significantly impact droplet phase transitioning and inertial cavitation dynamics. These findings can help guide researchers to fabricate PFCnDs with optimized compositions for their specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe J Welch
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | | | - Craig R Forest
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Lilo D Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Chengzhi Shi
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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14
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Reeder JT, Xie Z, Yang Q, Seo MH, Yan Y, Deng Y, Jinkins KR, Krishnan SR, Liu C, McKay S, Patnaude E, Johnson A, Zhao Z, Kim MJ, Xu Y, Huang I, Avila R, Felicelli C, Ray E, Guo X, Ray WZ, Huang Y, MacEwan MR, Rogers JA. Soft, bioresorbable coolers for reversible conduction block of peripheral nerves. Science 2022; 377:109-115. [PMID: 35771907 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Implantable devices capable of targeted and reversible blocking of peripheral nerve activity may provide alternatives to opioids for treating pain. Local cooling represents an attractive means for on-demand elimination of pain signals, but traditional technologies are limited by rigid, bulky form factors; imprecise cooling; and requirements for extraction surgeries. Here, we introduce soft, bioresorbable, microfluidic devices that enable delivery of focused, minimally invasive cooling power at arbitrary depths in living tissues with real-time temperature feedback control. Construction with water-soluble, biocompatible materials leads to dissolution and bioresorption as a mechanism to eliminate unnecessary device load and risk to the patient without additional surgeries. Multiweek in vivo trials demonstrate the ability to rapidly and precisely cool peripheral nerves to provide local, on-demand analgesia in rat models for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan T Reeder
- Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Zhaoqian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo, China
| | - Quansan Yang
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Min-Ho Seo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, College of Information and Biomedical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yujun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Katherine R Jinkins
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Siddharth R Krishnan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Claire Liu
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Shannon McKay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Emily Patnaude
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alexandra Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Zichen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo, China
| | - Moon Joo Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Yameng Xu
- The Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ivy Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Raudel Avila
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Emily Ray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo, China
| | - Wilson Z Ray
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yonggang Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Matthew R MacEwan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John A Rogers
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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15
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Heymans SV, Collado-Lara G, Rovituso M, Vos HJ, D'hooge J, de Jong N, Van Abeele KD. Acoustic Modulation Enables Proton Detection With Nanodroplets at Body Temperature. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2022; 69:2028-2038. [PMID: 35385380 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2022.3164805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Superheated nanodroplet (ND) vaporization by proton radiation was recently demonstrated, opening the door to ultrasound-based in vivo proton range verification. However, at body temperature and physiological pressures, perfluorobutane nanodroplets (PFB-NDs), which offer a good compromise between stability and radiation sensitivity, are not directly sensitive to primary protons. Instead, they are vaporized by infrequent secondary particles, which limits the precision for range verification. The radiation-induced vaporization threshold (i.e., sensitization threshold) can be reduced by lowering the pressure in the droplet such that ND vaporization by primary protons can occur. Here, we propose to use an acoustic field to modulate the pressure, intermittently lowering the proton sensitization threshold of PFB-NDs during the rarefactional phase of the ultrasound wave. Simultaneous proton irradiation and sonication with a 1.1 MHz focused transducer, using increasing peak negative pressures (PNPs), were applied on a dilution of PFB-NDs flowing in a tube, while vaporization was acoustically monitored with a linear array. Sensitization to primary protons was achieved at temperatures between [Formula: see text] and 40 °C using acoustic PNPs of relatively low amplitude (from 800 to 200 kPa, respectively), while sonication alone did not lead to ND vaporization at those PNPs. Sensitization was also measured at the clinically relevant body temperature (i.e., 37 °C) using a PNP of 400 kPa. These findings confirm that acoustic modulation lowers the sensitization threshold of superheated NDs, enabling a direct proton response at body temperature.
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16
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Toumia Y, Pullia M, Domenici F, Facoetti A, Ferrarini M, Heymans SV, Carlier B, Van Den Abeele K, Sterpin E, D'hooge J, D'Agostino E, Paradossi G. Ultrasound-assisted carbon ion dosimetry and range measurement using injectable polymer-shelled phase-change nanodroplets: in vitro study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8012. [PMID: 35568710 PMCID: PMC9107472 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods allowing for in situ dosimetry and range verification are essential in radiotherapy to reduce the safety margins required to account for uncertainties introduced in the entire treatment workflow. This study suggests a non-invasive dosimetry concept for carbon ion radiotherapy based on phase-change ultrasound contrast agents. Injectable nanodroplets made of a metastable perfluorobutane (PFB) liquid core, stabilized with a crosslinked poly(vinylalcohol) shell, are vaporized at physiological temperature when exposed to carbon ion radiation (C-ions), converting them into echogenic microbubbles. Nanodroplets, embedded in tissue-mimicking phantoms, are exposed at 37 °C to a 312 MeV/u clinical C-ions beam at different doses between 0.1 and 4 Gy. The evaluation of the contrast enhancement from ultrasound imaging of the phantoms, pre- and post-irradiation, reveals a significant radiation-triggered nanodroplets vaporization occurring at the C-ions Bragg peak with sub-millimeter shift reproducibility and dose dependency. The specific response of the nanodroplets to C-ions is further confirmed by varying the phantom position, the beam range, and by performing spread-out Bragg peak irradiation. The nanodroplets' response to C-ions is influenced by their concentration and is dose rate independent. These early findings show the ground-breaking potential of polymer-shelled PFB nanodroplets to enable in vivo carbon ion dosimetry and range verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Toumia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy. .,National Institute for Nuclear Physics, INFN Sez. Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Pullia
- Fondazione CNAO, The National Center of Oncological Hadrontherapy, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Domenici
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Nuclear Physics, INFN Sez. Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelica Facoetti
- Fondazione CNAO, The National Center of Oncological Hadrontherapy, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michele Ferrarini
- Fondazione CNAO, The National Center of Oncological Hadrontherapy, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sophie V Heymans
- Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Carlier
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Nuclear Physics, INFN Sez. Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
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17
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Burgess MT, Aliabouzar M, Aguilar C, Fabiilli ML, Ketterling JA. Slow-Flow Ultrasound Localization Microscopy Using Recondensation of Perfluoropentane Nanodroplets. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:743-759. [PMID: 35125244 PMCID: PMC8983467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an emerging, super-resolution imaging technique for detailed mapping of the microvascular structure and flow velocity via subwavelength localization and tracking of microbubbles. Because microbubbles rely on blood flow for movement throughout the vascular space, acquisition times can be long in the smallest, low-flow microvessels. In addition, detection of microbubbles in low-flow regions can be difficult because of minimal separation of microbubble signal from tissue. Nanoscale, phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) have emerged as a switchable, intermittent or persisting contrast agent for ULM via acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). Here, the focus is on characterizing the spatiotemporal contrast properties of less volatile perfluoropentane (PFP) PCCAs. The results indicate that at physiological temperature, nanoscale PFP PCCAs with diameters less than 100 nm disappear within microseconds after ADV with high-frequency ultrasound (16 MHz, 5- to 6-MPa peak negative pressure) and that nanoscale PFP PCCAs have an inherent deactivation mechanism via immediate recondensation after ADV. This "blinking" on-and-off contrast signal allowed separation of flow in an in vitro flow phantom, regardless of flow conditions, although with a need for some replenishment at very low flow conditions to maintain count rate. This blinking behavior allows for rapid spatial mapping in areas of low or no flow with ULM, but limits velocity tracking because there is no stable bubble formation with nanoscale PFP PCCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Burgess
- Lizzi Center for Biomedical Engineering, Riverside Research, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Mitra Aliabouzar
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christian Aguilar
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Ketterling
- Lizzi Center for Biomedical Engineering, Riverside Research, New York, New York, USA
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18
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Collado-Lara G, Heymans SV, Rovituso M, Carlier B, Toumia Y, Verweij M, Paradossi G, Sterpin E, Vos HJ, D'hooge J, de Jong N, Van Den Abeele K, Daeichin V. Spatiotemporal Distribution of Nanodroplet Vaporization in a Proton Beam Using Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging for Range Verification. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:149-156. [PMID: 34629191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The potential of proton therapy to improve the conformity of the delivered dose to the tumor volume is currently limited by range uncertainties. Injectable superheated nanodroplets have recently been proposed for ultrasound-based in vivo range verification, as these vaporize into echogenic microbubbles on proton irradiation. In previous studies, offline ultrasound images of phantoms with dispersed nanodroplets were acquired after irradiation, relating the induced vaporization profiles to the proton range. However, the aforementioned method did not enable the counting of individual vaporization events, and offline imaging cannot provide real-time feedback. In this study, we overcame these limitations using high-frame-rate ultrasound imaging with a linear array during proton irradiation of phantoms with dispersed perfluorobutane nanodroplets at 37°C and 50°C. Differential image analysis of subsequent frames allowed us to count individual vaporization events and to localize them with a resolution beyond the ultrasound diffraction limit, enabling spatial and temporal quantification of the interaction between ionizing radiation and nanodroplets. Vaporization maps were found to accurately correlate with the stopping distribution of protons (at 50°C) or secondary particles (at both temperatures). Furthermore, a linear relationship between the vaporization count and the number of incoming protons was observed. These results indicate the potential of real-time high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging for proton range verification and dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Collado-Lara
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sophie V Heymans
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bram Carlier
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yosra Toumia
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Verweij
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Imaging, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Hendrik J Vos
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Imaging, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico de Jong
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Imaging, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | - Verya Daeichin
- Department of Medical Imaging, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
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19
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Chen J, Nan Z, Zhao Y, Zhang L, Zhu H, Wu D, Zong Y, Lu M, Ilovitsh T, Wan M, Yan K, Feng Y. Enhanced HIFU Theranostics with Dual-Frequency-Ring Focused Ultrasound and Activatable Perfluoropentane-Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12111324. [PMID: 34832737 PMCID: PMC8621746 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been widely used in tumor ablation in clinical settings. Meanwhile, there is great potential to increase the therapeutic efficiency of temporary cavitation due to enhanced thermal effects and combined mechanical effects from nonlinear vibration and collapse of the microbubbles. In this study, dual-frequency (1.1 and 5 MHz) HIFU was used to produce acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) microbubbles from activatable perfluoropentane-loaded polymer nanoparticles (PFP@Polymer NPs), which increased the therapeutic outcome of the HIFU and helped realize tumor theranostics with ultrasound contrast imaging. Combined with PFP@Polymer NPs, dual-frequency HIFU changed the shape of the damage lesion and reduced the acoustic intensity threshold of thermal damage significantly, from 216.86 to 62.38 W/cm2. It produced a nearly 20 °C temperature increase in half the irradiation time and exhibited a higher tumor inhibition rate (84.5% ± 3.4%) at a low acoustic intensity (1.1 MHz: 23.77 W/cm2; 5 MHz: 0.35 W/cm2) in vitro than the single-frequency HIFU (60.2% ± 11.9%). Moreover, compared with the traditional PFP@BSA NDs, PFP@Polymer NPs showed higher anti-tumor efficacy (81.13% vs. 69.34%; * p < 0.05) and better contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging ability (gray value of 57.53 vs. 30.67; **** p < 0.0001), probably benefitting from its uniform and stable structure. It showed potential as a highly efficient tumor theranostics approach based on dual-frequency HIFU and activatable PFP@Polymer NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Zhezhu Nan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Yubo Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Lei Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Daocheng Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Yujin Zong
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Mingzhu Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Tali Ilovitsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
| | - Kai Yan
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, China
- Correspondence: (K.Y.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yi Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710049, China; (J.C.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.); (H.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (M.W.)
- Correspondence: (K.Y.); (Y.F.)
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20
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Detecting insulitis in type 1 diabetes with ultrasound phase-change contrast agents. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022523118. [PMID: 34607942 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022523118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from immune infiltration and destruction of insulin-producing β cells within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans (insulitis). Early diagnosis during presymptomatic T1D would allow for therapeutic intervention prior to substantial β-cell loss at onset. There are limited methods to track the progression of insulitis and β-cell mass decline. During insulitis, the islet microvasculature increases permeability, such that submicron-sized particles can extravasate and accumulate within the islet microenvironment. Ultrasound is a widely deployable and cost-effective clinical imaging modality. However, conventional microbubble contrast agents are restricted to the vasculature. Submicron nanodroplet (ND) phase-change agents can be vaporized into micron-sized bubbles, serving as a microbubble precursor. We tested whether NDs extravasate into the immune-infiltrated islet microenvironment. We performed ultrasound contrast-imaging following ND infusion in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and NOD;Rag1ko controls and tracked diabetes development. We measured the biodistribution of fluorescently labeled NDs, with histological analysis of insulitis. Ultrasound contrast signal was elevated in the pancreas of 10-wk-old NOD mice following ND infusion and vaporization but was absent in both the noninfiltrated kidney of NOD mice and the pancreas of Rag1ko controls. High-contrast elevation also correlated with rapid diabetes onset. Elevated contrast was also observed as early as 4 wk, prior to mouse insulin autoantibody detection. In the pancreata of NOD mice, infiltrated islets and nearby exocrine tissue were selectively labeled with fluorescent NDs. Thus, contrast ultrasound imaging with ND phase-change agents can detect insulitis prior to diabetes onset. This will be important for monitoring disease progression, to guide and assess preventative therapeutic interventions for T1D.
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21
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Kuriakose M, Borden MA. Microbubbles and Nanodrops for photoacoustic tomography. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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Toumia Y, Miceli R, Domenici F, Heymans SV, Carlier B, Cociorb M, Oddo L, Rossi P, D'Angellilo RM, Sterpin E, D'Agostino E, Van Den Abeele K, D'hooge J, Paradossi G. Ultrasound-assisted investigation of photon triggered vaporization of poly(vinylalcohol) phase-change nanodroplets: A preliminary concept study with dosimetry perspective. Phys Med 2021; 89:232-242. [PMID: 34425514 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigate the vaporization of phase-change ultrasound contrast agents using photon radiation for dosimetry perspectives in radiotherapy. METHODS We studied superheated perfluorobutane nanodroplets with a crosslinked poly(vinylalcohol) shell. The nanodroplets' physico-chemical properties, and their acoustic transition have been assessed firstly. Then, poly(vinylalcohol)-perfluorobutane nanodroplets were dispersed in poly(acrylamide) hydrogel phantoms and exposed to a photon beam. We addressed the effect of several parameters influencing the nanodroplets radiation sensitivity (energy/delivered dose/dose rate/temperature). The nanodroplets-vaporization post-photon exposure was evaluated using ultrasound imaging at a low mechanical index. RESULTS Poly(vinylalcohol)-perfluorobutane nanodroplets show a good colloidal stability over four weeks and remain highly stable at temperatures up to 78 °C. Nanodroplets acoustically-triggered phase transition leads to microbubbles with diameters <10 μm and an activation threshold of mechanical index = 0.4, at 7.5 MHz. A small number of vaporization events occur post-photon exposure (6MV/15MV), at doses between 2 and 10 Gy, leading to ultrasound contrast increase up to 60% at RT. The nanodroplets become efficiently sensitive to photons when heated to a temperature of 65 °C (while remaining below the superheat limit temperature) during irradiation. CONCLUSIONS Nanodroplets' core is linked to the degree of superheat in the metastable state and plays a critical role in determining nanodroplet' stability and sensitivity to ionizing radiation, requiring higher or lower linear energy transfer vaporization thresholds. While poly(vinylalcohol)-perfluorobutane nanodroplets could be slightly activated by photons at ambient conditions, a good balance between the degree of superheat and stability will aim at optimizing the design of nanodroplets to reach high sensitivity to photons at physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Toumia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; INFN sez.Roma Tor Vergata, Italy.
| | - Roberto Miceli
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Tor Vergata (PTV), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Fabio Domenici
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; INFN sez.Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Sophie V Heymans
- Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Carlier
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madalina Cociorb
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; DoseVue, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Letizia Oddo
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Piero Rossi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, PTV, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Rolando Maria D'Angellilo
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Tor Vergata (PTV), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; INFN sez.Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
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23
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Krafft MP, Riess JG. Therapeutic oxygen delivery by perfluorocarbon-based colloids. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 294:102407. [PMID: 34120037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2021.102407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
After the protocol-related indecisive clinical trial of Oxygent, a perfluorooctylbromide/phospholipid nanoemulsion, in cardiac surgery, that often unduly assigned the observed untoward effects to the product, the development of perfluorocarbon (PFC)-based O2 nanoemulsions ("blood substitutes") has come to a low. Yet, significant further demonstrations of PFC O2-delivery efficacy have continuously been reported, such as relief of hypoxia after myocardial infarction or stroke; protection of vital organs during surgery; potentiation of O2-dependent cancer therapies, including radio-, photodynamic-, chemo- and immunotherapies; regeneration of damaged nerve, bone or cartilage; preservation of organ grafts destined for transplantation; and control of gas supply in tissue engineering and biotechnological productions. PFC colloids capable of augmenting O2 delivery include primarily injectable PFC nanoemulsions, microbubbles and phase-shift nanoemulsions. Careful selection of PFC and other colloid components is critical. The basics of O2 delivery by PFC nanoemulsions will be briefly reminded. Improved knowledge of O2 delivery mechanisms has been acquired. Advanced, size-adjustable O2-delivering nanoemulsions have been designed that have extended room-temperature shelf-stability. Alternate O2 delivery options are being investigated that rely on injectable PFC-stabilized microbubbles or phase-shift PFC nanoemulsions. The latter combine prolonged circulation in the vasculature, capacity for penetrating tumor tissues, and acute responsiveness to ultrasound and other external stimuli. Progress in microbubble and phase-shift emulsion engineering, control of phase-shift activation (vaporization), understanding and control of bubble/ultrasound/tissue interactions is discussed. Control of the phase-shift event and of microbubble size require utmost attention. Further PFC-based colloidal systems, including polymeric micelles, PFC-loaded organic or inorganic nanoparticles and scaffolds, have been devised that also carry substantial amounts of O2. Local, on-demand O2 delivery can be triggered by external stimuli, including focused ultrasound irradiation or tumor microenvironment. PFC colloid functionalization and targeting can help adjust their properties for specific indications, augment their efficacy, improve safety profiles, and expand the range of their indications. Many new medical and biotechnological applications involving fluorinated colloids are being assessed, including in the clinic. Further uses of PFC-based colloidal nanotherapeutics will be briefly mentioned that concern contrast diagnostic imaging, including molecular imaging and immune cell tracking; controlled delivery of therapeutic energy, as for noninvasive surgical ablation and sonothrombolysis; and delivery of drugs and genes, including across the blood-brain barrier. Even when the fluorinated colloids investigated are designed for other purposes than O2 supply, they will inevitably also carry and deliver a certain amount of O2, and may thus be considered for O2 delivery or co-delivery applications. Conversely, O2-carrying PFC nanoemulsions possess by nature a unique aptitude for 19F MR imaging, and hence, cell tracking, while PFC-stabilized microbubbles are ideal resonators for ultrasound contrast imaging and can undergo precise manipulation and on-demand destruction by ultrasound waves, thereby opening multiple theranostic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Pierre Krafft
- University of Strasbourg, Institut Charles Sadron (CNRS), 23 rue du Loess, 67034 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Jean G Riess
- Harangoutte Institute, 68160 Ste Croix-aux-Mines, France
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24
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Qin D, Zou Q, Lei S, Wang W, Li Z. Predicting initial nucleation events occurred in a metastable nanodroplet during acoustic droplet vaporization. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2021; 75:105608. [PMID: 34119737 PMCID: PMC8207230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) capable of converting liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) micro/nanodroplets into gaseous microbubbles has gained much attention due to its medical potentials. However, its physical mechanisms for nanodroplets have not been well understood due to the disappeared superharmonic focusing effect and the prominent Laplace pressure compared to microdroplets, especially for the initial ADV nucleation occurring in a metastable PFC nanodroplet. The classical nucleation theory (CNT) was modified to describe the ADV nucleation via combining the phase-change thermodynamics of perfluoropentane (PFP) and the Laplace pressure effect on PFP nanodroplets. The thermodynamics was exactly predicted by the Redlich-Kwong equation of state (EoS) rather than the van der Waals EoS, based on which the surface tension of the vapor nucleus as a crucial parameter in the CNT was successfully obtained to modify the CNT. Compared to the CNT, the modified CNT eliminated the intrinsic limitations of the CNT, and it predicted a larger nucleation rate and a lower ADV nucleation threshold, which agree much better with experimental results. Furthermore, it indicated that the nanodroplet properties exert very strong influences on the nucleation threshold instead of the acoustic parameters, providing a potential strategy with an appropriate droplet design to reduce the ADV nucleation threshold. This study may contribute to further understanding the ADV mechanism for PFC nanodroplets and promoting its potential theranostic applications in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dui Qin
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China.
| | - Qingqin Zou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Shuang Lei
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Zhangyong Li
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China.
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25
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Qin D, Zhang L, Zhu H, Chen J, Wu D, Bouakaz A, Wan M, Feng Y. A Highly Efficient One-for-All Nanodroplet for Ultrasound Imaging-Guided and Cavitation-Enhanced Photothermal Therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:3105-3119. [PMID: 33967577 PMCID: PMC8096805 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s301734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted considerable attention for cancer treatment as it is highly controllable and minimally invasive. Various multifunctional nanosystems have been fabricated in an "all-in-one" form to guide and enhance PTT by integrating imaging and therapeutic functions. However, the complex fabrication of nanosystems and their high cost limit its clinical translation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Herein, a high efficient "one-for-all" nanodroplet with a simple composition but owning multiple capabilities was developed to achieve ultrasound (US) imaging-guided and cavitation-enhanced PTT. Perfluoropentane (PFP) nanodroplet with a polypyrrole (PPy) shell (PFP@PPy nanodroplet) was synthesized via ultrasonic emulsification and in situ oxidative polymerization. After characterization of the morphology, its photothermal effect, phase transition performance, as well as its capabilities of enhancing US imaging and acoustic cavitation were examined. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy of the combined therapy with PTT and acoustic cavitation via the PFP@PPy nanodroplets was studied both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The nanodroplets exhibited good stability, high biocompatibility, broad optical absorption over the visible and near-infrared (NIR) range, excellent photothermal conversion with an efficiency of 60.1% and activatable liquid-gas phase transition performance. Upon NIR laser and US irradiation, the phase transition of PFP cores into microbubbles significantly enhanced US imaging and acoustic cavitation both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, the acoustic cavitation enhanced significantly the antitumor efficacy of PTT as compared to PTT alone thanks to the cavitation-mediated cell destruction, which demonstrated a substantial increase in cell detachment, 81.1% cell death in vitro and 99.5% tumor inhibition in vivo. CONCLUSION The PFP@PPy nanodroplet as a "one-for-all" theranostic agent achieved highly efficient US imaging-guided and cavitation-enhanced cancer therapy, and has considerable potential to provide cancer theranostics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dui Qin
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junjie Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daocheng Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ayache Bouakaz
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, F-37032, France
| | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
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26
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Heymans SV, Carlier B, Toumia Y, Nooijens S, Ingram M, Giammanco A, d'Agostino E, Crijns W, Bertrand A, Paradossi G, Himmelreich U, D'hooge J, Sterpin E, Van Den Abeele K. Modulating ultrasound contrast generation from injectable nanodroplets for proton range verification by varying the degree of superheat. Med Phys 2021; 48:1983-1995. [PMID: 33587754 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the physical benefits of protons over conventional photon radiation in cancer treatment, range uncertainties impede the ability to harness the full potential of proton therapy. While monitoring the proton range in vivo could reduce the currently adopted safety margins, a routinely applicable range verification technique is still lacking. Recently, phase-change nanodroplets were proposed for proton range verification, demonstrating a reproducible relationship between the proton range and generated ultrasound contrast after radiation-induced vaporization at 25°C. In this study, previous findings are extended with proton irradiations at different temperatures, including the physiological temperature of 37°C, for a novel nanodroplet formulation. Moreover, the potential to modulate the linear energy transfer (LET) threshold for vaporization by varying the degree of superheat is investigated, where the aim is to demonstrate vaporization of nanodroplets directly by primary protons. METHODS Perfluorobutane nanodroplets with a shell made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-PFB) or 10,12-pentacosadyinoic acid (PCDA-PFB) were dispersed in polyacrylamide hydrogels and irradiated with 62 MeV passively scattered protons at temperatures of 37°C and 50°C. Nanodroplet transition into echogenic microbubbles was assessed using ultrasound imaging (gray value and attenuation analysis) and optical images. The proton range was measured independently and compared to the generated contrast. RESULTS Nanodroplet design proved crucial to ensure thermal stability, as PVA-shelled nanodroplets dramatically outperformed their PCDA-shelled counterpart. At body temperature, a uniform radiation response proximal to the Bragg peak is attributed to nuclear reaction products interacting with PVA-PFB nanodroplets, with the 50% drop in ultrasound contrast being 0.17 mm ± 0.20 mm (mean ± standard deviation) in front of the proton range. Also at 50°C, highly reproducible ultrasound contrast profiles were obtained with shifts of -0.74 mm ± 0.09 mm (gray value analysis), -0.86 mm ± 0.04 mm (attenuation analysis) and -0.64 mm ± 0.29 mm (optical analysis). Moreover, a strong contrast enhancement was observed near the Bragg peak, suggesting that nanodroplets were sensitive to primary protons. CONCLUSIONS By varying the degree of superheat of the nanodroplets' core, one can modulate the intensity of the generated ultrasound contrast. Moreover, a submillimeter reproducible relationship between the ultrasound contrast and the proton range was obtained, either indirectly via the visualization of secondary reaction products or directly through the detection of primary protons, depending on the degree of superheat. The potential of PVA-PFB nanodroplets for in vivo proton range verification was confirmed by observing a reproducible radiation response at physiological temperature, and further studies aim to assess the nanodroplets' performance in a physiological environment. Ultimately, cost-effective online or offline ultrasound imaging of radiation-induced nanodroplet vaporization could facilitate the reduction of safety margins in treatment planning and enable adaptive proton therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie V Heymans
- Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Bram Carlier
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yosra Toumia
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Sjoerd Nooijens
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcus Ingram
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Thomas AN, Song KH, Upadhyay A, Papadopoulou V, Ramirez D, Benninger RKP, Lowerison M, Song P, Murray TW, Borden MA. Contrast-Enhanced Sonography with Biomimetic Lung Surfactant Nanodrops. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:2386-2396. [PMID: 33566623 PMCID: PMC8988746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanodrops comprising a perfluorocarbon liquid core can be acoustically vaporized into echogenic microbubbles for ultrasound imaging. Packaging the microbubble in its condensed liquid state provides some advantages, including in situ activation of the acoustic signal, longer circulation persistence, and the advent of expanded diagnostic and therapeutic applications in pathologies which exhibit compromised vasculature. One obstacle to clinical translation is the inability of the limited surfactant present on the nanodrop to encapsulate the greatly expanded microbubble interface, resulting in ephemeral microbubbles with limited utility. In this study, we examine a biomimetic approach to stabilize an expanding gas surface by employing the lung surfactant replacement, beractant. Lung surfactant contains a suite of lipids and proteins that provide efficient shuttling of material from bilayer folds to the monolayer surface. We hypothesized that beractant would improve stability of acoustically vaporized microbubbles. To test this hypothesis, we characterized beractant surface dilation mechanics and revealed a novel biophysical phenomenon of rapid interfacial melting, spreading, and resolidification. We then harnessed this unique functionality to increase the stability and echogenicity of microbubbles produced after acoustic droplet vaporization for in vivo ultrasound imaging. Such biomimetic lung surfactant-stabilized nanodrops may be useful for applications in ultrasound imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec N Thomas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Kang-Ho Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
| | - Awaneesh Upadhyay
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
| | - Virginie Papadopoulou
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill 27514, North Carolina, United States
| | - David Ramirez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Boulder 80045, Colorado, United States
| | - Richard K P Benninger
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Boulder 80045, Colorado, United States
| | - Matthew Lowerison
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 61801, Colorado, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 61801, Colorado, United States
| | - Pengfei Song
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 61801, Colorado, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 61801, Colorado, United States
| | - Todd W Murray
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
| | - Mark A Borden
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, Colorado, United States
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28
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Borden MA, Shakya G, Upadhyay A, Song KH. Acoustic Nanodrops for Biomedical Applications. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 50:101383. [PMID: 33100885 PMCID: PMC7581261 DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic nanodrops are designed to vaporize into ultrasound-responsive microbubbles, which presents certain challenges nonexistent for conventional nano-emulsions. The requirements of biocompatibility, vaporizability and colloidal stability has focused research on perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Shorter PFCs yield better vaporizability via their lower critical temperature, but they also dissolve more easily owing to their higher vapor pressure and solubility. Thus, acoustic nanodrops have required a tradeoff between vaporizability and colloidal stability in vivo. The recent advent of vaporizable endoskeletal droplets, which are both stable and vaporizable, may have solved this problem. The purpose of this review is to justify this premise by pointing out the beneficial properties of acoustic nanodrops, providing an analysis of vaporization and dissolution mechanisms, and reviewing current biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Borden
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Gazendra Shakya
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Awaneesh Upadhyay
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Kang-Ho Song
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
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29
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Li DS, Jeng GS, Pitre JJ, Kim M, Pozzo LD, O’Donnell M. Spatially localized sono-photoacoutic activation of phase-change contrast agents. PHOTOACOUSTICS 2020; 20:100202. [PMID: 32817821 PMCID: PMC7424230 DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2020.100202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Sono-photoacoustic (SPA) activation lowers the threshold of phase-change contrast agents by timing a laser shot to coincide with the arrival of an acoustic wave at a region of interest. The combination of photothermal heating from optical absorption and negative pressure from the acoustic wave greatly reduces the droplet's combined vaporization threshold compared to using laser energy or acoustic energy alone. In previous studies, SPA imaging used a broadly illuminated optical pulse combined with plane wave acoustic pulses transmitted from a linear ultrasound array. Acoustic plane waves cover a wide lateral field of view, enabling direct visualization of the contrast agent distribution. In contrast, we demonstrate here that localized SPA activation is possible using electronically steered/focused ultrasound pulses. The focused SPA activation region is defined axially by the number of cycles in the acoustic pulse and laterally by the acoustic beam width. By reducing the spot size and enabling rapid electronic steering, complex activation patterns are possible, which may be particularly useful in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
| | - Geng-Shi Jeng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
| | - John J. Pitre
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
| | - MinWoo Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
| | - Lilo D. Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
| | - Matthew O’Donnell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA
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30
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Melich R, Zorgani A, Padilla F, Charcosset C. Preparation of perfluorocarbon emulsions by premix membrane emulsification for Acoustic Droplet Vaporization (ADV) in biomedical applications. Biomed Microdevices 2020; 22:62. [DOI: 10.1007/s10544-020-00504-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Cimorelli M, Flynn MA, Angel B, Reimold E, Fafarman A, Huneke R, Kohut A, Wrenn S. A Voltage-Sensitive Ultrasound Enhancing Agent for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in a Rat Model. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:2388-2399. [PMID: 32593498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Echocardiographers with specialized expertise sometimes perform myocardial perfusion imaging using U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved microbubbles in an off-label capacity, correlating microbubble replenishment in the near field with blood flow through the myocardium. This study reports the in vivo clinical feasibility of a voltage-sensitive ultrasound enhancing agent (UEA) for myocardial perfusion imaging. Four UEAs were injected into Sprague-Dawley rats while ultrasound images were collected to quantify brightness in the left ventricular (LV) cavity, septal wall, and posterior wall in systole and diastole. Formulation IV, a phase change agent nested within a negatively charged phospholipid bilayer, increased the tissue-to-cavity ratio in both systole and diastole in the septal wall, 6 dB, and in the posterior wall, 5 dB, while leaving the LV cavity at baseline. This outcome improves the signal of the myocardium relative to the LV cavity and shows promise as a myocardial perfusion UEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cimorelli
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael A Flynn
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brett Angel
- Cardiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily Reimold
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aaron Fafarman
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard Huneke
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew Kohut
- Cardiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven Wrenn
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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32
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Cimorelli M, Flynn MA, Angel B, Fafarman A, Kohut A, Wrenn S. An Ultrasound Enhancing Agent with Nonlinear Acoustic Activity that Depends on the Presence of an Electric Field. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:2370-2387. [PMID: 32616427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The nonlinear acoustic properties of microbubble ultrasound enhancing agents have allowed for the development of subharmonic, second harmonic, and contrast-pulse sequence ultrasound imaging modes, which enhance the quality, reduce the noise, and improve the diagnostic capabilities of clinical ultrasound. This study details acoustic scattering responses of perfluorobutane (PFB) microbubbles, an un-nested perfluoropentane (PFP) nanoemulsion, and two nested PFP nanoemulsions-one comprising a negatively charged phospholipid bilayer and another comprising a zwitterionic phospholipid bilayer-when excited at 1 or 2.25 MHz over a peak negative pressure range of 200 kPa to 4 MPa in the absence and presence of a 1-Hz, 1-V/cm electric field. The only sample that exhibited an increase in nonlinear activity in the presence of an electric field at both excitation frequencies was the negatively charged nested PFP nanoemulsion; the most pronounced effect was observed at an excitation of 2.25 MHz. Interestingly, the application of an electric field not only increased the nonlinear acoustic activity of the negatively charged nested PFP nanoemulsion but increased it beyond that seen when the nanoemulsion is un-nested and on the same scale as PFB microbubbles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cimorelli
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael A Flynn
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brett Angel
- Cardiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aaron Fafarman
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew Kohut
- Cardiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven Wrenn
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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33
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Xu T, Cui Z, Li D, Cao F, Xu J, Zong Y, Wang S, Bouakaz A, Wan M, Zhang S. Cavitation characteristics of flowing low and high boiling-point perfluorocarbon phase-shift nanodroplets during focused ultrasound exposures. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2020; 65:105060. [PMID: 32199255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2020.105060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work investigated and compared the dynamic cavitation characteristics between low and high boiling-point phase-shift nanodroplets (NDs) under physiologically relevant flow conditions during focused ultrasound (FUS) exposures at different peak rarefactional pressures. A passive cavitation detection (PCD) system was used to monitor cavitation activity during FUS exposure at various acoustic pressure levels. Root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of broadband noise, spectrograms of the passive cavitation detection signals, and normalized inertial cavitation dose (ICD) values were calculated. Cavitation activity of low-boiling-point perfluoropentane (PFP) NDs and high boiling-point perfluorohexane (PFH) NDs flowing at in vitro mean velocities of 0-15 cm/s were compared in a 4-mm diameter wall-less vessel in a transparent tissue-mimicking phantom. In the static state, both types of phase-shift NDs exhibit a sharp rise in cavitation intensity during initial FUS exposure. Under flow conditions, cavitation activity of the PFH NDs reached the steady state less rapidly compared to PFP NDs under the lower acoustic pressure (1.35 MPa); at the higher acoustic pressure (1.65 MPa), the RMS amplitude increased more sharply during the initial FUS exposure period. In particular, the RMS-time curves of the PFP NDs shifted upward as the mean flow velocity increased from 0 to 15 cm/s; the RMS amplitude of the PFH ND solution increased from 0 to 10 cm/s and decreased at 15 cm/s. Moreover, amplitudes of the echo signal for the low boiling-point PFP NDs were higher compared to the high boiling-point PFH NDs in the lower frequency range, whereas the inverse occurred in the higher frequency range. Both PFP and PFH NDs showed increased cavitation activity in the higher frequency under the flow condition compared to the static state, especially PFH NDs. At 1.65 MPa, normalized ICD values for PFH increased from 0.93 ± 0.03 to 0.96 ± 0.04 and from 0 to 10 cm/s, then decreased to 0.86 ± 0.05 at 15 cm/s. This work contributes to our further understanding of cavitation characteristics of phase-shift NDs under physiologically relevant flow conditions during FUS exposure. In addition, the results provide a reference for selecting suitable phase-shift NDs to enhance the efficiency of cavitation-mediated ultrasonic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dapeng Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangyuan Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Jichen Xu
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China; National Engineering Laboratory for Visual Information Processing and Applications, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujin Zong
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Supin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China.
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China.
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34
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Shakya G, Hoff SE, Wang S, Heinz H, Ding X, Borden MA. Vaporizable endoskeletal droplets via tunable interfacial melting transitions. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz7188. [PMID: 32284985 PMCID: PMC7124936 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Liquid emulsion droplet evaporation is of importance for various sensing and imaging applications. The liquid-to-gas phase transformation is typically triggered thermally or acoustically by low-boiling point liquids, or by inclusion of solid structures that pin the vapor/liquid contact line to facilitate heterogeneous nucleation. However, these approaches lack precise tunability in vaporization behavior. Here, we describe a previously unused approach to control vaporization behavior through an endoskeleton that can melt and blend into the liquid core to either enhance or disrupt cohesive intermolecular forces. This effect is demonstrated using perfluoropentane (C5F12) droplets encapsulating a fluorocarbon (FC) or hydrocarbon (HC) endoskeleton. FC skeletons inhibit vaporization, whereas HC skeletons trigger vaporization near the rotator melting transition. Our findings highlight the importance of skeletal interfacial mixing for initiating droplet vaporization. Tuning molecular interactions between the endoskeleton and droplet phase is generalizable for achieving emulsion or other secondary phase transitions, in emulsions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazendra Shakya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 1111 Engineering Dr., Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Samuel E. Hoff
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Shiyi Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Hendrik Heinz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, 027 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 1111 Engineering Dr., Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Mark A. Borden
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 1111 Engineering Dr., Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, 027 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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35
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Brambila CJ, Lux J, Mattrey RF, Boyd D, Borden MA, de Gracia Lux C. Bubble Inflation Using Phase-Change Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets as a Strategy for Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:2954-2965. [PMID: 32090572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Phase-change perfluorocarbon microdroplets were introduced over 2 decades ago to occlude downstream vessels in vivo. Interest in perfluorocarbon nanodroplets has recently increased to enable extravascular targeting, to rescue the weak ultrasound signal of perfluorocarbon droplets by converting them to microbubbles and to improve ultrasound-based therapy. Despite great scientific interest and advances, applications of phase-change perfluorocarbon agents have not reached clinical testing because of efficacy and safety concerns, some of which remain unexplained. Here, we report that the coexistence of perfluorocarbon droplets and microbubbles in blood, which is inevitable when droplets spontaneously or intentionally vaporize to form microbubbles, is a major contributor to the observed side effects. We develop the theory to explain why the coexistence of droplets and microbubbles results in microbubble inflation induced by perfluorocarbon transfer from droplets to adjacent microbubbles. We also present the experimental data showing up to 6 orders of magnitude microbubble volume expansion, which occludes a 200 μm tubing in the presence of perfluorocarbon nanodroplets. More importantly, we demonstrate that the rate of microbubble inflation and ultimate size can be controlled by manipulating formulation parameters to tailor the agent's design for the potential theranostic application while minimizing the risk to benefit ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Brambila
- Translational Research in Ultrasound Theranostics (TRUST) Program, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Jacques Lux
- Translational Research in Ultrasound Theranostics (TRUST) Program, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Organic Chemistry Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Robert F Mattrey
- Translational Research in Ultrasound Theranostics (TRUST) Program, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Dustin Boyd
- Translational Research in Ultrasound Theranostics (TRUST) Program, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Mark A Borden
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Caroline de Gracia Lux
- Translational Research in Ultrasound Theranostics (TRUST) Program, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
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36
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Carlier B, Heymans SV, Nooijens S, Toumia Y, Ingram M, Paradossi G, D’Agostino E, Himmelreich U, D’hooge J, Van Den Abeele K, Sterpin E. Proton range verification with ultrasound imaging using injectable radiation sensitive nanodroplets: a feasibility study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 65:065013. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab7506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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37
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Aliabouzar M, Lu X, Kripfgans OD, Fowlkes JB, Fabiilli ML. Acoustic Droplet Vaporization in Acoustically Responsive Scaffolds: Effects of Frequency of Excitation, Volume Fraction and Threshold Determination Method. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:3246-3260. [PMID: 31561948 PMCID: PMC6823163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-induced vaporization of liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets into microbubbles, termed acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV), has potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Recently, we demonstrated how ADV-a threshold-based phenomenon-can modulate the release of biomolecules from composite hydrogels, thereby stimulating regenerative processes, such as angiogenesis. These composite hydrogels, called acoustically responsive scaffolds (ARSs), consist of monodispersed, micron size PFC emulsions embedded within a fibrin matrix. This study investigated the effects of frequency of excitation (2.25, 5, 7.5 and 10 MHz) and volume fraction (0.05%, 0.2% and 1% [v/v]) of monodispersed, double emulsions in the ARSs on the ADV threshold. We determined and compared the ADV thresholds via acoustic methods, including active detection, passive detection and attenuation, as well as an echogenicity-based method using B-mode imaging. The ADV threshold determined via these four techniques showed an increasing trend with frequency of excitation. Further analysis of the wave propagation showed that the amplitudes of high frequency harmonics were diminished in ARSs with high volume fractions of emulsion. The ADV threshold inversely correlated with the volume fraction of emulsion at the lowest excitation frequency. However, at higher frequencies, possibly due to the high acoustic reflectivity of the PFC emulsions, the ADV threshold correlated directly with the volume fraction of the emulsion. Additionally, the ADV efficiency correlated with the supra-threshold acoustic pressure. Overall, these results elucidate fundamental acoustic properties of the ARSs, which can be used in future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Aliabouzar
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Xiaofang Lu
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Oliver D Kripfgans
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - J Brian Fowlkes
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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38
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Borden MA. Intermolecular Forces Model for Lipid Microbubble Shells. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10042-10051. [PMID: 30543753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-coated microbubbles are currently used clinically as ultrasound contrast agents for echocardiography and radiology and are being developed for many new diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Accordingly, there is a growing need to engineer specific formulations by employing rational design to guide lipid selection and processing. This approach requires a quantitative relationship between lipid chemistry and interfacial properties of the microbubble shell. Just such a model is proposed here on the basis of lateral Coulomb and van der Waals interactions between lipid head- and tailgroups, using previous coarse graining and force fields developed for molecular dynamics simulations. The model predicts with sufficient accuracy the monolayer permeability, the elasticity as a function of either lipid composition or temperature, and the equilibrium spreading surface tension of the lipid onto an air/water interface. In the future, the intermolecular forces model could be employed to elucidate more complex phenomena and to engineer novel microbubble formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Andrew Borden
- Mechanical Engineering , University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309-0427 , United States
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39
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Toumia Y, Cerroni B, Domenici F, Lange H, Bianchi L, Cociorb M, Brasili F, Chiessi E, D'Agostino E, Van Den Abeele K, Heymans SV, D'Hooge J, Paradossi G. Phase Change Ultrasound Contrast Agents with a Photopolymerized Diacetylene Shell. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10116-10127. [PMID: 31042396 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Phase change contrast agents for ultrasound (US) imaging consist of nanodroplets (NDs) with a perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid core stabilized with a lipid or a polymer shell. Liquid ↔ gas transition, occurring in the core, can be triggered by US to produce acoustically active microbubbles (MBs) in a process named acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). MB shells containing polymerized diacetylene moiety were considered as a good trade off between the lipid MBs, showing optimal attenuation, and the polymeric ones, displaying enhanced stability. This work reports on novel perfluoropentane and perfluorobutane NDs stabilized with a monolayer of an amphiphilic fatty acid, i.e. 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA), cured with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The photopolymerization of the diacetylene groups, evidenced by the appearance of a blue color due to the conjugation of ene-yne sequences, exhibits a chromatic transition from the nonfluorescent blue color to a fluorescent red color when the NDs are heated or the pH of the suspension is basic. An estimate of the molecular weights reached by the polymerized PCDA in the shell, poly(PCDA), has been obtained using gel permeation chromatography and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The poly(PCDA)/PFC NDs show good biocompatibility with fibroblast cells. ADV efficiency and acoustic properties before and after the transition were tested using a 1 MHz probe, revealing a resonance frequency between 1 and 2 MHz similar to other lipidic MBs. The surface of PCDA shelled NDs can be easily modified without influencing the stability and the acoustic performances of droplets. As a proof of concept we report on the conjugation of cyclic RGD and PEG chains of the particles to support targeting ability toward endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Toumia
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Barbara Cerroni
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Fabio Domenici
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Heiko Lange
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Livia Bianchi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Madalina Cociorb
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Francesco Brasili
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Ester Chiessi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
| | - Emiliano D'Agostino
- DoseVue NV , Philips Open Manufacturing Campus , Slachthuisstraat 96 , B-2300 Turnhout , Belgium
| | | | - Sophie V Heymans
- Department of Physics , KU Leuven , Kulak, 8500 Kortrijk , Belgium
| | - Jan D'Hooge
- Medical Center , KU Leuven , 3000 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 , Rome , Italy
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40
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Rojas JD, Borden MA, Dayton PA. Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure, Boundary Constraints and Viscosity on the Vaporization Threshold of Low-Boiling-Point Phase-Change Contrast Agents. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:968-979. [PMID: 30658858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The vaporization of low-boiling-point phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) using ultrasound has been explored in vitro and in vivo. However, it has been reported that the pressure required for activation is higher in vivo, even after attenuation is accounted for. In this study, the effect of boundary constraints, hydrostatic pressure and viscosity on PCCA vaporization pressure threshold are evaluated to explore possible mechanisms for variations in in vivo vaporization behavior. Vaporization was measured in microtubes of varying inner diameter and a pressurized chamber under different hydrostatic pressures using a range of ultrasound pressures. Furthermore, the activation threshold was evaluated in the kidneys of rats. The results confirm that the vaporization threshold is higher in vivo and reveal an increasing activation threshold inversely proportional to constraining tube size and inversely proportional to surrounding viscosity in constrained environments. Counterintuitively, increased hydrostatic pressure had no significant effect experimentally on the PCCA vaporization threshold, although it was confirmed that this result was supported by homogeneous nucleation theory for liquid perfluorocarbon vaporization. These factors suggest that constraints caused by the surrounding tissue and capillary walls, as well as increased viscosity in vivo, contribute to the increased vaporization threshold compared with in vitro experiments, although more work is required to confirm all relevant factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rojas
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mark A Borden
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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41
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Burgess MT, Porter TM. Control of Acoustic Cavitation for Efficient Sonoporation with Phase-Shift Nanoemulsions. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:846-858. [PMID: 30638968 PMCID: PMC8859868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic cavitation can be used to temporarily disrupt cell membranes for intracellular delivery of large biomolecules. Termed sonoporation, the ability of this technique for efficient intracellular delivery (i.e., >50% of initial cell population showing uptake) while maintaining cell viability (i.e., >50% of initial cell population viable) has proven to be very difficult. Here, we report that phase-shift nanoemulsions (PSNEs) function as inertial cavitation nuclei for improvement of sonoporation efficiency. The interplay between ultrasound frequency, resultant microbubble dynamics and sonoporation efficiency was investigated experimentally. Acoustic emissions from individual microbubbles nucleated from PSNEs were captured using a broadband passive cavitation detector during and after acoustic droplet vaporization with short pulses of ultrasound at 1, 2.5 and 5 MHz. Time domain features of the passive cavitation detector signals were analyzed to estimate the maximum size (Rmax) of the microbubbles using the Rayleigh collapse model. These results were then applied to sonoporation experiments to test if uptake efficiency is dependent on maximum microbubble size before inertial collapse. Results indicated that at the acoustic droplet vaporization threshold, Rmax was approximately 61.7 ± 5.2, 24.9 ± 2.8, and 12.4 ± 2.1 μm at 1, 2.5 and 5 MHz, respectively. Sonoporation efficiency increased at higher frequencies, with efficiencies of 39.5 ± 13.7%, 46.6 ± 3.28% and 66.8 ± 5.5% at 1, 2.5 and 5 MHz, respectively. Excessive cellular damage was seen at lower frequencies because of the erosive effects of highly energetic inertial cavitation. These results highlight the importance of acoustic cavitation control in determining the outcome of sonoporation experiments. In addition, PSNEs may serve as tailorable inertial cavitation nuclei for other therapeutic ultrasound applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Burgess
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tyrone M Porter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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42
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Lee YT, Li DS, Ilavsky J, Kuzmenko I, Jeng GS, O'Donnell M, Pozzo LD. Ultrasound-based formation of nano-Pickering emulsions investigated via in-situ SAXS. J Colloid Interface Sci 2019; 536:281-290. [PMID: 30380428 PMCID: PMC6287929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sonication is one of the most commonly used methods to synthesize Pickering emulsions. Yet, the process of emulsion sonication is rarely characterized in detail and acoustic conditions are largely determined by experimenter's personal experience. In this study, the role of sonication in the formation of Pickering emulsions from amphiphilic gold nanoparticles was investigated using a new sample environment combining ultrasound delivery with ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) measurements. The detection of acoustic cavitation and the simultaneous analysis of structural data via USAXS demonstrated direct correlation between Pickering emulsion formation and cavitation events. There was no evidence of spontaneous adsorption of particles onto the oil-water interface without ultrasound, which suggests the presence of a stabilizing force. Acoustically detected cavitation events could originate in the bulk solvent and/or inside the emulsion droplets. These events helped overcome energy barriers to induce particle adsorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David S Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jan Ilavsky
- X-Ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - Ivan Kuzmenko
- X-Ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - Geng-Shi Jeng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew O'Donnell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lilo D Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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43
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Li DS, Schneewind S, Bruce M, Khaing Z, O’Donnell M, Pozzo L. Spontaneous Nucleation of Stable Perfluorocarbon Emulsions for Ultrasound Contrast Agents. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:173-181. [PMID: 30543289 PMCID: PMC7970446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b03585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Phase-change contrast agents are rapidly developing as an alternative to microbubbles for ultrasound imaging and therapy. These agents are synthesized and delivered as liquid droplets and vaporized locally to produce image contrast. They can be used like conventional microbubbles but with the added benefit of reduced size and improved stability. Droplet-based agents can be synthesized with diameters on the order of 100 nm, making them an ideal candidate for extravascular imaging or therapy. However, their synthesis requires low boiling point perfluorocarbons (PFCs) to achieve activation (i.e., vaporization) thresholds within FDA approved limits. Minimizing spontaneous vaporization while producing liquid droplets using conventional methods with low boiling point PFCs can be challenging. In this study, a new method to produce PFC nanodroplets using spontaneous nucleation is demonstrated using PFCs with boiling points ranging from -37 to 56 °C. Sometimes referred to as the ouzo method, the process relies on saturating a cosolvent with the PFC before adding a poor solvent to reduce solvent quality, forcing droplets to spontaneously nucleate. This approach can produce droplets ranging from under 100 nm to over 1 μm in diameter. Ternary plots showing solvent and PFC concentrations leading to droplet nucleation are presented. Additionally, acoustic activation thresholds and size distributions with varying PFC and solvent conditions are measured and discussed. Finally, ultrasound contrast imaging is demonstrated using ouzo droplets in an animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington,
Seattle, WA
| | - Sarah Schneewind
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Matthew Bruce
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied
Physics Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Zin Khaing
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Lilo Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
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44
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Rojas JD, Dayton PA. Vaporization Detection Imaging: A Technique for Imaging Low-Boiling-Point Phase-Change Contrast Agents with a High Depth of Penetration and Contrast-to-Tissue Ratio. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:192-207. [PMID: 30482709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) possess advantages over microbubble contrast agents, such as the ability to extravasate and circulate longer in the vasculature that could enhance the diagnostic capabilities of contrast-enhanced ultrasound. PCCAs typically have a liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) core that can be vaporized into echogenic microbubbles. Vaporization of submicron agents filled with liquid PFCs at body temperature usually requires therapeutic pressures higher than typically used for diagnostic imaging, but low-boiling-point PCCAs using decafluorobutane or octafluoropropane can be vaporized using pressures in the diagnostic imaging regime. Low-boiling-point PCCAs produce a unique acoustic signature that can be separated from tissue and bubble signals to make images with high contrast-to-tissue ratios. In this work, we explore the effect of pulse length and concentration on the vaporization signal of PCCAs and a new technique to capture and use the signals to make high contrast-to-tissue ratio images in vivo. The results indicate that using a short pulse may be ideal for imaging because it does not interact with created bubbles but still produces strong signals for making images. Furthermore, it was found that capturing PCCA vaporization signals produced higher contrast-to-tissue ratio values and better depth of penetration than imaging the bubbles generated by droplet activation using conventional contrast imaging techniques. The resolution of the vaporization signal images is poor because of the low frequency of the signals, but their high sensitivity may be used for applications such as molecular imaging, where the detection of small numbers of contrast agents is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rojas
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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45
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Hadinger KP, Marshalek JP, Sheeran PS, Dayton PA, Matsunaga TO. Optimization of Phase-Change Contrast Agents for Targeting MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:2728-2738. [PMID: 30228045 PMCID: PMC6215505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death for women throughout the world. Recent advances in medical imaging technologies and tumor targeting agents signify vast potential for progress toward improved management of this global problem. Phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) are dynamic imaging agents with practical applications in both the research and clinical settings. PCCAs possess characteristics that allow for cellular uptake where they can be converted from liquid-phase PCCAs to gaseous microbubbles via ultrasound energy. Previously, we reported successful internalization of folate-targeted PCCAs in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells followed by ultrasound-mediated activation to produce internalized microbubbles. This study examines the binding, internalization and activation of folate-receptor targeted PCCAs in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as a function of gaseous core compositions, incubation time and ultrasound exposure period. In vitro results indicate that internalization and ultrasound-mediated activation of PCCAs were significantly greater using a 50:50 mixture of decafluorobutane:dodecafluoropentane compared with other core compositions: 50:50 octafluoropropane:decafluorobutane (p < 0.0001), decafluorobutane (p < 0.04) and dodecafluoropentane (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, it was found that PCCAs composed of perfluorocarbons with higher boiling points responded with greater activation efficiency when exposed to 12 s of ultrasound exposure as opposed to 4 s of ultrasound exposure. When evaluating different incubation times, it was found that incubating the PCCAs with breast cancer cells for 60 min did not produce significantly greater internalization and activation compared with incubation for 10 min; this was concluded after comparing the number of microbubbles present per cell before ultrasound versus post-ultrasound, and finding a ratio of intracellular microbubbles post-ultrasound/pre-ultrasound, 3.46 versus 3.14, respectively. The data collected in this study helps illustrate further optimization of folate-receptor targeted PCCAs for breast cancer targeting and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle P Hadinger
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Joseph P Marshalek
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Paul S Sheeran
- Physical Sciences Department, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Terry O Matsunaga
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
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46
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Moncion A, Lin M, Kripfgans OD, Franceschi RT, Putnam AJ, Fabiilli ML. Sequential Payload Release from Acoustically-Responsive Scaffolds Using Focused Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:2323-2335. [PMID: 30077413 PMCID: PMC6441330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative processes, such as angiogenesis and osteogenesis, often require multiple growth factors with distinct spatiotemporal patterns and expression sequences. Within tissue engineering, hydrogel scaffolds are commonly used for exogenous growth factor delivery. However, direct incorporation of growth factors within conventional hydrogels does not afford spatiotemporally controlled delivery because release is governed by passive mechanisms that cannot be actively controlled after the scaffold is implanted. We have developed acoustically-responsive scaffolds (ARSs), which are fibrin scaffolds doped with payload-containing, sonosensitive emulsions. Payload release from ARSs can be controlled non-invasively and on demand using focused, megahertz-range ultrasound. In the in vitro study described here, we developed and characterized ARSs that enable sequential release of two surrogate, fluorescent payloads using consecutive ultrasound exposures at different acoustic pressures. ARSs were generated with various combinations and volume fractions of perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane, and perfluoroheptane emulsions. Acoustic droplet vaporization and inertial cavitation thresholds correlated with the boiling point/molecular weight of the perfluorocarbon while payload release correlated inversely. Payload release was longitudinally measured and observed to follow a sigmoidal trend versus acoustic pressure. Perfluoropentane and perfluorohexane emulsions were stabilized when incorporated into ARSs with perfluoroheptane emulsion. These results highlight the potential of using ARSs for sequential, dual-payload release for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Moncion
- Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
| | - Melissa Lin
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Oliver D Kripfgans
- Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Renny T Franceschi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrew J Putnam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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47
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Kaptay G. The chemical (not mechanical) paradigm of thermodynamics of colloid and interface science. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 256:163-192. [PMID: 29705027 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the most influential monograph on colloid and interfacial science by Adamson three fundamental equations of "physical chemistry of surfaces" are identified: the Laplace equation, the Kelvin equation and the Gibbs adsorption equation, with a mechanical definition of surface tension by Young as a starting point. Three of them (Young, Laplace and Kelvin) are called here the "mechanical paradigm". In contrary it is shown here that there is only one fundamental equation of the thermodynamics of colloid and interface science and all the above (and other) equations of this field follow as its derivatives. This equation is due to chemical thermodynamics of Gibbs, called here the "chemical paradigm", leading to the definition of surface tension and to 5 rows of equations (see Graphical abstract). The first row is the general equation for interfacial forces, leading to the Young equation, to the Bakker equation and to the Laplace equation, etc. Although the principally wrong extension of the Laplace equation formally leads to the Kelvin equation, using the chemical paradigm it becomes clear that the Kelvin equation is generally incorrect, although it provides right results in special cases. The second row of equations provides equilibrium shapes and positions of phases, including sessile drops of Young, crystals of Wulff, liquids in capillaries, etc. The third row of equations leads to the size-dependent equations of molar Gibbs energies of nano-phases and chemical potentials of their components; from here the corrected versions of the Kelvin equation and its derivatives (the Gibbs-Thomson equation and the Freundlich-Ostwald equation) are derived, including equations for more complex problems. The fourth row of equations is the nucleation theory of Gibbs, also contradicting the Kelvin equation. The fifth row of equations is the adsorption equation of Gibbs, and also the definition of the partial surface tension, leading to the Butler equation and to its derivatives, including the Langmuir equation and the Szyszkowski equation. Positioning the single fundamental equation of Gibbs into the thermodynamic origin of colloid and interface science leads to a coherent set of correct equations of this field. The same provides the chemical (not mechanical) foundation of the chemical (not mechanical) discipline of colloid and interface science.
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48
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Nyankima AG, Rojas JD, Cianciolo R, Johnson KA, Dayton PA. In Vivo Assessment of the Potential for Renal Bio-Effects from the Vaporization of Perfluorocarbon Phase-Change Contrast Agents. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:368-376. [PMID: 29254872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Low-boiling-point perfluorocarbon phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) provide an alternative to microbubble contrast agents. Although parameter ranges related to in vivo bio-effects of microbubbles are fairly well characterized, few studies have been done to evaluate the potential of bio-effects related to PCCAs. To bridge this gap, we present an assessment of biological effects (e.g., hemorrhage) related to acoustically excited PCCAs in the rodent kidney. The presence or absence of bio-effects was observed after sonication with various perfluorocarbon core PCCAs (decafluorobutane, octafluoropropane or a 1:1 mixture) and as a function of activation pulse mechanical index (MI; minimum activation threshold, which was a moderate MI of 0.81-1.35 vs. a clinical maximum of 1.9). Bio-effects on renal tissue were assessed through hematology and histology including measurement of blood creatinine levels and the quantity of red blood cell (RBC) casts present in hematoxylin and eosin-stained kidney tissue sections after sonication. Short-term (24 h) and long-term (2 and 4 wk) analyses were performed after treatment. Results indicated that bio-effects from PCCA vaporization were not observed at lower mechanical indices. At higher mechanical indices, bio-effects were observed at 24 h, although these were not observable 2 wk after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gloria Nyankima
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Juan D Rojas
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachel Cianciolo
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kennita A Johnson
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Lacour T, Guédra M, Valier-Brasier T, Coulouvrat F. A model for acoustic vaporization dynamics of a bubble/droplet system encapsulated within a hyperelastic shell. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 143:23. [PMID: 29390781 DOI: 10.1121/1.5019467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nanodroplets have great, promising medical applications such as contrast imaging, embolotherapy, or targeted drug delivery. Their functions can be mechanically activated by means of focused ultrasound inducing a phase change of the inner liquid known as the acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) process. In this context, a four-phases (vapor + liquid + shell + surrounding environment) model of ADV is proposed. Attention is especially devoted to the mechanical properties of the encapsulating shell, incorporating the well-known strain-softening behavior of Mooney-Rivlin material adapted to very large deformations of soft, nearly incompressible materials. Various responses to ultrasound excitation are illustrated, depending on linear and nonlinear mechanical shell properties and acoustical excitation parameters. Different classes of ADV outcomes are exhibited, and a relevant threshold ensuring complete vaporization of the inner liquid layer is defined. The dependence of this threshold with acoustical, geometrical, and mechanical parameters is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lacour
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7190, Institut Jean Le Rond ∂'Alembert, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Guédra
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7190, Institut Jean Le Rond ∂'Alembert, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Tony Valier-Brasier
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7190, Institut Jean Le Rond ∂'Alembert, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - François Coulouvrat
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7190, Institut Jean Le Rond ∂'Alembert, F-75005 Paris, France
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50
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Li DS, Yoon SJ, Pelivanov I, Frenz M, O’Donnell M, Pozzo LD. Polypyrrole-Coated Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsions as a Sono-Photoacoustic Contrast Agent. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:6184-6194. [PMID: 28926276 PMCID: PMC5636685 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b02845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A new contrast agent for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging is presented. It has a liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) core of about 250 nm diameter coated by a 30 nm thin polypyrrole (PPy) doped polymer shell emulsion that represents a broadband absorber covering the visible and near-infrared ranges (peak optical extinction at 1050 nm). When exposed to a sufficiently high intensity optical or acoustic pulse, the droplets vaporize to form microbubbles providing a strong increase in imaging sensitivity and specificity. The threshold for contrast agent activation can further drastically be reduced by up to 2 orders of magnitude if simultaneously exposing them with optical and acoustic pulses. The selection of PFC core liquids with low boiling points (i.e., perfluorohexane (56 °C), perfluoropentane (29 °C), and perfluorobutane (-2 °C)) facilitates activation and reduces the activation threshold of PPy-coated emulsion contrast agents to levels well within clinical safety limits (as low as 0.2 MPa at 1 mJ/cm2). Finally, the potential use of these nanoemulsions as a contrast agent is demonstrated in a series of phantom imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Soon Joon Yoon
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Ivan Pelivanov
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
- International Laser Center, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
| | - Martin Frenz
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern, Bern, CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Matthew O’Donnell
- International Laser Center, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
| | - Lilo D. Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
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