A general strategy for obtaining biodegradable polymer shelled microbubbles as theranostic devices

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Development of multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) is an active research area.
• Existing UCAs face limitations in versatility and multifunctionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a versatile strategy for synthesizing biodegradable UCA precursors.
• To demonstrate the transformation of these precursors into microbubbles acting as UCAs upon ultrasound irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of biodegradable vesicles with a biocompatible crosslinked polymer shell.
• Utilizing acoustic droplet vaporization triggered by ultrasound irradiation.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated UCA precursors in the form of biodegradable vesicles.
• Demonstrated transformation into microbubbles functioning as UCAs via acoustic droplet vaporization.
• Proof-of-concept for a potential theranostic microdevice.

Conclusions:

• The described method offers a versatile approach for creating multifunctional UCAs.
• The developed microbubbles exhibit properties suitable for diagnostic and therapeutic applications (theranostics).
• This technology represents a promising step towards advanced theranostic microdevices.