Developing a Microbubble-Based Contrast Agent for Synchrotron In-Line Phase Contrast Imaging

X-ray phase contrast imaging generates contrast from refraction of X-rays, enhancing soft tissue contrast compared to conventional absorption-based imaging. Our goal is to develop a contrast agent for X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging (PCI) based on ultrasound microbubbles (MBs), by assessing size, shell material, and concentration.

Polydisperse perfluorobutane-core lipid-shelled MBs were synthesized and size separated into five groups between 1 and 10 μm. We generated two size populations of polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)-MBs, 2-3 μm and 3-4 μm, whose shells were either coated or integrated with iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Microbubbles were then embedded in agar at three concentrations: 5 × 10⁷, 5 × 10⁶ and 5 × 10⁵ MBs/ml. In-line phase contrast imaging was performed at the Canadian Light Source with filtered white beam micro-computed tomography. Phase contrast intensity was measured by both counting detectable MBs, and comparing mean pixel values (MPV) in minimum and maximum intensity projections of the overall samples.

Individual lipid-MBs 6-10 μm, lipid-MBs 4-6 μm and PVA-MBs coated with SPIONs were detectable at each concentration. At the highest concentration, lipid-MBs 6-10 μm and 4-6 μm showed an overall increase in positive contrast, whereas at a moderate concentration, only lipid-MBs 6-10 μm displayed an increase. Negative contrast was also observed from two largest lipid-MBs at high concentration.

These data indicate that lipid-MBs larger than 4 μm are candidates for PCI, and 5 × 10⁶ MBs/ml may be the lowest concentration suitable for generating visible phase contrast in vivo.

Identifying a suitable MB for PCI may facilitate future clinical translation.