The role of acoustic radiation force in contrast enhancement techniques using bubble‐based ultrasound contrast agents

Enhanced targeting of ultrasound contrast agents using acoustic radiation force.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has shown significant promise as a molecular imaging modality. However, one potential drawback is the difficulty that ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) may have in achieving adhesion to target molecules on the vascular endothelium. Microbubble UCA exhibit a lateral migration toward the vessel axis in laminar flow, preventing UCA contact with the endothelium. In the c...

Ultrasound radiation force modulates ligand availability on targeted contrast agents.

Radiation force produced by low-amplitude ultrasound at clinically relevant frequencies remotely translates freely flowing microbubble ultrasound contrast agents over distances up to centimeters from the luminal space to the vessel wall in order to enhance ligand-receptor contact in targeting applications. The question arises as to how the microbubble shell might be designed at the molecular le...

Acoustic characterisation of ultrasound contrast agents at high frequency

The Role of Ultrasound Contrast Agents in Producing Sonoporation

Gene delivery using ultrasound contrast agents.

With the human genome product and continuing advances in molecular biology many therapeutic genes have been discovered. In the cardiovascular system, gene therapy has the potential to improve myocardial vascularization and ameliorate congestive heart failure. For successful development of clinical gene therapy, however, effective gene delivery vectors are needed. Ultrasound contrast agents can ...