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Formulation and Acoustic Modulation of Optically Vaporized Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets
Published on: July 16, 2021
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Fluorocarbon nanodrops as acoustic temperature probes
Paul A Mountford1, William S Smith1, Mark A Borden1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado , Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 12, 2015
Summary
Superheated fluorocarbon nanodrops show promise for ultrasound thermal imaging. However, mixing fluorocarbons like C3F8 and C4F10 limits tunability due to preferential gas release in open systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Acoustic Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Superheated fluorocarbon nanodrops are explored for advanced medical imaging.
- Tuning vaporization properties of these nanodrops is crucial for targeted applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate superheated fluorocarbon nanodrops for ultrasound thermal imaging.
- Evaluate the tunability of thermal and acoustic vaporization thresholds using mixed fluorocarbons (C3F8 and C4F10).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of phospholipid-coated microbubbles containing mixed C3F8 and C4F10.
- Measurement of vaporization temperatures in closed (optical transmission) and open (ultrasound imaging) systems.
- Assessment of critical mechanical index at therapeutic hyperthermia temperatures.
Main Results:
- Vaporization temperature showed linear dependence on C4F10 percentage in closed systems.
- In open systems, mixed nanodrops behaved like pure C4F10, indicating preferential C3F8 dissolution.
- Pure C4F10 nanodrops demonstrated proof-of-concept as acoustic temperature probes.
Conclusions:
- Superheated fluorocarbon emulsions show potential for sonothermetry (acoustic thermometry).
- Tunability of mixed fluorocarbon nanodrops is limited by preferential dissolution of more soluble components (C3F8) in open systems.
- C4F10 nanodrops can serve as effective acoustic temperature probes.
