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Li S, Chen C, Lof J, Stolze EA, Sklenar J, Chen X, Pacella JJ, Villanueva FS, Matsunaga TO, Everbach EC, Radio SJ, Westphal S, Xie F, Leng X, Porter TR. Effect of Ambient Conditions on Acoustic Activation of the Perfluoropropane Droplets Within the Infarct Zone. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024; 50:1232-1239. [PMID: 38760280 PMCID: PMC11189723 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.04.011] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acoustically activated perfluoropropane droplets (PD) formulated from lipid encapsulated microbubble preparations produce a delayed myocardial contrast enhancement that preferentially highlights the infarct zones (IZ). Since activation of PDs may be temperature sensitive, it is unclear what effect body temperature (BT) has on acoustic activation (AA). OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the microvascular retention and degree of myocardial contrast intensity (MCI) would be affected by BT at the time of intravenous injection. METHODS We administered intravenous (IV) PD in nine rats following 60 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion. Injections in these rats were given at temperatures above and below 36.5°C, with high MI activation in both groups at 3 or 6 min following IV injection (IVI). In six additional rats (three in each group), IV PDs were given only at one temperature (<36.5°C or ≥36.5°C), permitting a total of 12 comparisons of different BT. Differences in background subtracted MCI at 3-6 min post-injection were compared in the infarct zone (IZ) and remote zone (RZ). Post-mortem lung hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to assess the effect potential thermal activation on lung tissue. RESULTS Selective MCI within the IZ was observed in 8 of 12 rats who received IVI of PDs at <36.5°C, but none of the 12 rats who had IVI at the higher temperature (p < 0.0001). Absolute MCI following droplet activation was significantly higher in both the IZ and RZ when given at the lower BT. H&E indicated significant red blood extravasation in 5/7 rats who had had IV injections at higher BT, and 0/7 rats who had IV PDs at <36.5°C. CONCLUSIONS Selective IZ enhancement with AA of intravenous PDs is possible, but temperature sensitive. Thermal activation appears to occur when PDs are given at higher temperatures, preventing AA, and increasing unwanted bioeffects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqiang Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Cheng Chen
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John Lof
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stolze
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Xucai Chen
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John J Pacella
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Terry O Matsunaga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E Carr Everbach
- Department of Engineering, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Stanley J Radio
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sherry Westphal
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Feng Xie
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaoping Leng
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Thomas R Porter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Li S, Chen C, Lof J, Stolze EA, Sklenar J, Chen X, Pacella JJ, Villanueva FS, Matsunaga TO, Everbach EC, Radio SJ, Westphal SN, Shiva S, Xie F, Leng X, Porter TR. Acoustic Activation Imaging With Intravenous Perfluoropropane Nanodroplets Results in Selective Bioactivation of the Risk Area. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2024; 43:1063-1080. [PMID: 38440926 PMCID: PMC11093707 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16435] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acoustically activatable perfluoropropane droplets (PD) can be formulated from commercially available microbubble preparations. Diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound frequencies have resulted in acoustic activation (AA) predominately within myocardial infarct zones (IZ). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the AA area following acute coronary ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) would selectively enhance the developing scar zone, and target bioeffects specifically to this region. METHODS We administered intravenous PD in 36 rats and 20 pigs at various stages of myocardial scar formation (30 minutes, 1 day, and 7 days post I/R) to determine what effect infarct age had on the AA within the IZ. This was correlated with histology, myeloperoxidase activity, and tissue nitrite activity. RESULTS The degree of AA within the IZ in rats was not associated with collagen content, neutrophil infiltration, or infarct age. AA within 24 hours of I/R was associated with increased nitric oxide utilization selectively within the IZ (P < .05 compared with remote zone). The spatial extent of AA in pigs correlated with infarct size only when performed before sacrifice at 7 days (r = .74, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Acoustic activation of intravenous PD enhances the developing scar zone following I/R, and results in selective tissue nitric oxide utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqiang Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cheng Chen
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Lof
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stolze
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | | | - Xucai Chen
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John J Pacella
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Flordeliza S Villanueva
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Terry O Matsunaga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - E Carr Everbach
- Department of Engineering, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stanley J Radio
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sherry N Westphal
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sruti Shiva
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Molecular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Feng Xie
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Xiaoping Leng
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Thomas R Porter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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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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Ramesh R, Thimonier C, Desgranges S, Faugeras V, Coulouvrat F, Laurent J, Marrelec G, Contino-Pépin C, Urbach W, Tribet C, Taulier N. Acoustic Droplet Vaporization of Perfluorohexane Emulsions Induced by Heterogeneous Nucleation at an Ultrasonic Frequency of 1.1 MHz. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:15716-15729. [PMID: 37889478 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Droplets made of liquid perfluorocarbon undergo a phase transition and transform into microbubbles when triggered by ultrasound of intensity beyond a critical threshold; this mechanism is called acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). It has been shown that if the intensity of the signal coming from high ultrasonic harmonics are sufficiently high, superharmonic focusing is the mechanism leading to ADV for large droplets (>3 μm) and high frequencies (>1.5 MHz). In such a scenario, ADV is initiated due to a nucleus occurring at a specific location inside the droplet volume. But the question on what induces ADV in the case of nanometer-sized droplets and/or at low ultrasonic frequencies (<1.5 MHz) still remains. We investigated ADV of perfluorohexane (PFH) nano- and microdroplets at a frequency of 1.1 MHz and at conditions where there is no superharmonic focusing. Three types of droplets produced by microfluidics were studied: plain PFH droplets, PFH droplets containing many nanometer-sized water droplets, and droplets made of a PFH corona encapsulating a single micron-sized water droplet. The probability to observe a vaporization event was measured as a function of acoustic pressure. As our experiments were performed on droplet suspensions containing a population of monodisperse droplets, we developed a statistical model to extrapolate, from our experimental curves, the ADV pressure thresholds in the case where only one droplet would be insonified. We observed that the value of ADV pressure threshold decreases as the radius of a plain PFH droplet increases. This value was further reduced when a PFH droplet encapsulates a micron-sized water droplet, while the encapsulation of many nanometer-sized water droplets did not modify the threshold. These results cannot be explained by a model of homogeneous nucleation. However, we developed a heterogeneous nucleation model, where the nucleus appears at the surface in contact with PFH, that successfully predicts our experimental ADV results.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ramesh
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, LIB, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - C Thimonier
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, LIB, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
- Département de Chimie, P.A.S.T.E.U.R., École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - S Desgranges
- Équipe Systèmes Amphiphiles Bioactifs et Formulations Eco-compatibles, UPRI, Avignon Université, 84000 Avignon, France
| | - V Faugeras
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - F Coulouvrat
- Institut Jean le Rond d'Alembert, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - J Laurent
- Laboratoire de Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogénes, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, 75005 Paris, France
| | - G Marrelec
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, LIB, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - C Contino-Pépin
- Équipe Systèmes Amphiphiles Bioactifs et Formulations Eco-compatibles, UPRI, Avignon Université, 84000 Avignon, France
| | - W Urbach
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - C Tribet
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - N Taulier
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, LIB, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France
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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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6
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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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7
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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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8
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Shakya G, Fajrial AK, Ding X, Borden MA. Effect of Thermal History and Hydrocarbon Core Size on Perfluorocarbon Endoskeletal Droplet Vaporization. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:2634-2641. [PMID: 35175053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vaporizable hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon endoskeletal droplets are a unique category of phase-change emulsions with interesting physical and thermodynamic features. Here, we show microfluidic fabrication of various morphologies, such as solid-in-liquid, liquid-in-solid, and Janus-type, of complex solid n-C20H42 or n-C21H44 and liquid n-C5F12 droplets. Furthermore, we investigated the vaporization behavior of these endoskeletal droplets, focusing on the effects of heat treatment and core size. Comparison of vaporization and differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that vaporization occurs prior to melting of the bulk hydrocarbon phase for C20H42/C5F10 droplets and near the rotator phase for C21H44/C5F10 droplets. We found that heat treatment of the droplets increased the fraction of droplets that vaporized and also increased the vaporization temperature of the droplets, although the effect was temporary. Furthermore, we found that changing the relative size of the solid hydrocarbon core compared to the surrounding liquid shell increased the vaporization temperature and the vaporizing fraction. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that surface melting behavior exhibited by the linear alkane may trigger the fluorocarbon vaporization event. These results may aid in the understanding of the interfacial thermodynamics and transport and the engineering of novel vaporizable endoskeletal droplets for biomedical imaging and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazendra Shakya
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Apresio K Fajrial
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Mark A Borden
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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9
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Shakya G, Yang T, Gao Y, Fajrial AK, Li B, Ruzzene M, Borden MA, Ding X. Acoustically manipulating internal structure of disk-in-sphere endoskeletal droplets. Nat Commun 2022; 13:987. [PMID: 35190549 PMCID: PMC8861019 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28574-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Manipulation of micro/nano particles has been well studied and demonstrated by optical, electromagnetic, and acoustic approaches, or their combinations. Manipulation of internal structure of droplet/particle is rarely explored and remains challenging due to its complicated nature. Here we demonstrated the manipulation of internal structure of disk-in-sphere endoskeletal droplets using acoustic wave. We developed a model to investigate the physical mechanisms behind this interesting phenomenon. Theoretical analysis of the acoustic interactions indicated that these assembly dynamics arise from a balance of the primary and secondary radiation forces. Additionally, the disk orientation was found to change with acoustic driving frequency, which allowed on-demand, reversible adjustment of the disk orientations with respect to the substrate. This dynamic behavior leads to unique reversible arrangements of the endoskeletal droplets and their internal architecture, which may provide an avenue for directed assembly of novel hierarchical colloidal architectures and intracellular organelles or intra-organoid structures. Endoskeletal droplets are a class of complex colloids containing a solid internal phase cast within a liquid emulsion droplet. Here, authors show acoustic manipulation of solid disks inside liquid droplets whose orientation can be externally controlled with the frequency.
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10
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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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11
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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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12
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Song R, Cho S, Shin S, Kim H, Lee J. From shaping to functionalization of micro-droplets and particles. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:3395-3416. [PMID: 36133725 PMCID: PMC9419121 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00276g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The structure of microdroplet and microparticle is a critical factor in their functionality, which determines the distribution and sequence of physicochemical reactions. Therefore, the technology of precisely tailoring their shape is requisite for implementing the user demand functions in various applications. This review highlights various methodologies for droplet shaping, classified into passive and active approaches based on whether additional body forces are applied to droplets to manipulate their functions and fabricate them into microparticles. The passive approaches cover batch emulsification, solvent evaporation and diffusion, micromolding, and microfluidic methods. In active approaches, the external forces, such as electrical and magnetic fields or optical lithography, are applied to microdroplets. Special attention is also given to latest technologies using microdroplets and microparticles, especially in the fields of biological, optical, robotic, and environmental applications. Finally, this review aims to address the advantages and disadvantages of the introduced approaches and suggests the direction for further development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryungeun Song
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Seongsu Cho
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Seonghun Shin
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Hyejeong Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Seoul 02841 Korea
| | - Jinkee Lee
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
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13
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Fan CH, Kao WF, Kang ST, Ho YJ, Yeh CK. Exploring the Acoustic and Dynamic Characteristics of Phase-Change Droplets. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2021; 68:1051-1061. [PMID: 33079650 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2020.3032441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) provides the on-demand production of bubbles for use in ultrasound (US)-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The droplet-to-bubble transition process has been shown to involve localized internal gas nucleation, followed by a volume expansion of threefold to fivefold and inertial bubble oscillation, all of which take place within a few microseconds. Monitoring these ADV processes is important in gauging the mechanical effects of phase-change droplets in a biological environment, but this is difficult to achieve using regular optical observations. In this study, we utilized acoustic characterization [i.e., simultaneous passive cavitation detection (PCD) and active cavitation detection (ACD)] to investigate the acoustic signatures emitted from phase-change droplets ADV and determined their correlations with the physical behaviors observed using high-speed optical imaging. The experimental results showed that activation with three-cycle 5-MHz US pulse resulted in the droplets (diameter: 3.0- [Formula: see text]) overexpanding and undergoing damped oscillation before settling to bubbles with a final diameter. Meanwhile, a broadband shock wave was observed at the beginning of the PCD signal. The intense fluctuations of the ACD signal revealed that the shock wave arose from the inertial cavitation of nucleated small gas pockets in the droplets. It was particularly interesting that another shock-wave signal with a much lower acoustic frequency (< 2 MHz) was observed at about [Formula: see text] after the first half signal. This signal coincided with the reduction of the ACD signal amplitude that indicated the rebound of the transforming bubble. Since internal gas nucleation is a crucial process of ADV, the first half signal may indicate the occurrence of an ADV event, and the second half signal may further reveal the degrees of expansion and oscillation of the bubble. These acoustic signatures provide opportunities for monitoring ADV dynamics based on the detection of acoustic signals.
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14
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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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15
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Lawanprasert A, Chau A, Sloand JN, Hannifin S, Medina SH. Tuning the Interfacial Properties of Fluorous Colloids Toward Ultrasound Programmable Bioactivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:5989-5998. [PMID: 33522791 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c20352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-in-liquid emulsions are kinetically stable colloids that undergo liquid-to-gas phase transitions in response to thermal or acoustic stimuli. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are preferred species as their highly fluorinated nature imparts unique properties that are unparalleled by nonfluorinated counterparts. However, traditional methods to prepare PFC emulsions lack the ability to precisely tune the thermodynamic stability of the fluorous-water interphase and consequently control their vaporization behavior. Here, we report a privileged fluoroalkanoic acid that undergoes concentration-dependent assembly on the surfaces of fluorous droplets to modulate interfacial tension. This allows for the rational formulation of orthogonal PFC droplets that can be programmed to vaporize at specified ultrasound powers. We exploit this behavior in two exemplary biomedical settings by developing emulsions that aid ultrasound-mediated hemostasis and enable bioorthogonal delivery of molecular sensors to mammalian cells. Mechanistic insights gained from these studies can be generalized to tune the thermodynamic interfacial equilibria of PFC emulsions toward designing controllable tools for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atip Lawanprasert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Alda Chau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Janna N Sloand
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Sean Hannifin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Scott H Medina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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16
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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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