C.T. Chin

Microbubble surface modes [ultrasound contrast agents]

We have investigated surface vibrations generated by ultrasound excitation of individual unencapsulated micron-sized bubbles. In addition, we present surface modes (n=2 and 3) observed for phospholipid-coated ultrasound contrast agents excited through excitation of radial modes at frequencies between 1 and 4 MHz. Even higher modes of vibration (up to mode 5) are observed for coated microbubbles at insonation frequencies of 10 and 19 MHz. The potential relevance of surface modes for medical ultrasound is discussed, including the possible implications for current theoretical models of ultrasound contrast agents.

The resonance frequency of SonoVue/spl trade/ as observed by high-speed optical imaging

The resonance frequencies of individual SonoVue/spl trade/ contrast agent bubbles were measured optically by recording the radius-time curves of a single microbubble at 24 different frequencies. For these experiments, the Brandaris 128 fast framing camera was operated in a special segmented mode. The resonance frequencies found for SonoVue/spl trade/ microbubbles are in good agreement with the modified Herring model for coated bubbles indicating that the shell only slightly affects the resonance frequency of this class of contrast bubbles.

Non-linear scattering from microbubble contrast agents in the 14-40 MHz range

The non-linear scattering properties of microbubble contrast agents in the 14-40 MHz frequency range are investigated. Experiments were conducted as a function of pressure for two agents (Definity/sup TM/ and Optison/sup TM/) and polystyrene microbeads as control scatterers. For Definity/sup TM/, subharmonic (0.5f/sub 0/) and ultraharmonic (1.5f/sub 0/) scattering was substantial and strongly dependent on pressure up to 26 MHz. Optison/sup TM/ also exhibited sub- and ultraharmonic scattering, but these effects were weaker and found to persist up to 22 MHz. Second harmonic (2f/sub 0/) scattering for Definity/sup TM/, Optison/sup TM/ and the microbeads was strong and increased with pressure suggesting a significant component of 2f/sub 0/ agent signal was due to non-linear propagation. However, the ratio of 2f/sub 0/ to f/sub 0/ scattering was higher for agent than for microbeads (20 dB for Definity/sup TM/) after correcting for frequency dependent microbead scattering. A test for bubble destruction at 20 MHz revealed that a significant subpopulation of bubbles could be disrupted. We conclude that non-linear scattering can be produced with high frequency ultrasound technology and currently available agents. This suggests the possibility of implementing non-linear detection and destruction techniques at high frequencies.