Free gas micro-/nano-bubble water: a novel dispersion system to prepare ultrasound imaging vehicles
Lu Jin, Zhen Yang, Xu Wang, Shixiao Wan, Huanhuan Zhao, Ying Zhang, Juan Jin, Jilai TianAbstract
Objectives
Free gas micro-/nano-bubbles (MNBs) in water have demonstrated significant potential in various industrial applications, including water treatment, enhanced transport processes, and disinfection. However, the feasibility of utilizing MNBs water as a dispersed system for preparing ultrasound imaging vehicles is seldom explored. This study aims to investigate the potential of MNBs water for this purpose.
Methods
Initially, MNBs water containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was prepared and characterized. Subsequently, the potential of SF6 MNBs water to form lipid-shelled bubbles for ultrasound imaging was evaluated. This involved the incubation of lyophilized phospholipids with SF6 MNBs water.
Results
The study confirmed the presence of SF6 MNBs in water. Through the incubation process, it was possible to obtain lipid-shelled bubbles with a nano-sized and narrow size distribution. These bubbles exhibited comparable echogenicity to those produced by conventional mechanical agitation methods during the initial 5 min of in vitro observation.
Conclusions
SF6 MNBs water represents a novel dispersion medium for generating nano-sized lipid-shelled bubbles. This approach offers a promising new method for extravascular ultrasound imaging and drug delivery, potentially expanding the applications of MNBs in medical imaging and therapeutic delivery systems.