Characterization of Nanobubbles and Blood Component Interactions

Ultrasound contrast agents, including nanobubbles, must be intravenously injected to reach their target (e.g. a tumor). By definition, intravenous injection requires interaction between nanobubbles and blood cells. However, a majority of in vitro studies testing the stability of ultrasound contrast agents under continuous ultrasound imaging are conducted in phosphate buffered saline. This project aims to characterize nanobubble behavior under contrast-enhanced ultrasound in human whole blood. We previously found that phospholipid-shelled nanobubbles made with our lab's lipid formulation interact with red blood cells when in the presence of plasma. This interaction appears to stabilize the nanobubble signal over time. Ongoing research is investigating the effect of nanobubble shell stiffness, surface change, and other parameters on this interaction.

 

For more information on this project contact michaela.cooley@case.edu