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Updated: May 25, 2026
06:02
Multi-timescale Microscopy Methods for the Characterization of Fluorescently-labeled Microbubbles for Ultrasound-Triggered Drug Release
Published on: June 12, 2021
Microbubbles in Imaging: Applications Beyond Ultrasound
Paul Kogan1, Ryan C Gessner, Paul A Dayton
1Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina - North Carolina State University.
Bubble Science Engineering and Technology
|February 14, 2012
Summary
Microbubbles, initially used for ultrasound contrast, show promise beyond imaging. They offer versatile applications in targeted therapies and advanced diagnostics, including non-ultrasound imaging techniques.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Microbubbles are established ultrasound contrast agents with clinical applications in myocardial perfusion imaging.
- Their unique properties enable diverse pre-clinical applications, including targeted therapy and advanced imaging.
- Microbubble construction allows for detection beyond ultrasound, exploring novel imaging modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review non-ultrasound imaging applications of microbubbles.
- To explore the potential of microbubbles in multi-modality imaging and image-guided therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microbubble applications.
- Discussion of microbubble detection using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Diffraction-Enhanced Imaging (DEI).
Main Results:
- Microbubbles demonstrate potential for targeted cellular delivery and disease marker identification.
- Applications include dynamic blood flow estimation, localized chemotherapy, gene therapy potentiation, and enhanced lesion ablation via cavitation.
- Non-ultrasound detection methods like MRI, PET, and DEI reveal novel imaging capabilities for microbubbles.
Conclusions:
- Microbubbles offer a versatile platform for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
- Non-ultrasound imaging modalities expand the utility of microbubbles for multi-modal approaches.
- Further research into these areas may pave the way for innovative image-guided therapeutics.
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