Abstract
As contrast agents, microbubbles have been playing significant roles in ultrasound imaging. Investigation of microbubble oscillation is crucial for microbubble characterization and detection. Unfortunately, 3-dimensional (3D) observation of microbubble oscillation is challenging and costly because of the bubble size-a few microns in diameter-and the high-speed dynamics under MHz ultrasound pressure waves. In this study, a cost-efficient optical confocal microscopic system combined with a gated and intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera were developed to detect 3D microbubble oscillation. The capability of imaging microbubble high-speed oscillation with much lower costs than with an ultra-fast framing or streak camera system was demonstrated. In addition, microbubble oscillations along both lateral (x and y) and axial (z) directions were demonstrated. Accordingly, this system is an excellent alternative for 3D investigation of microbubble high-speed oscillation, especially when budgets are limited.
Highlights
Ultrasound microbubbles (MB) have been intensively investigated due to their many applications, such as enhancing ultrasound imaging for diagnosis and potential drug/gene delivery for therapy [1, 2]
Investigation of microbubble oscillation is crucial for microbubble characterization and detection
The capability of imaging microbubble high-speed oscillation with much lower costs than with an ultra-fast framing or streak camera system was demonstrated. Microbubble oscillations along both lateral (x and y) and axial (z) directions were demonstrated. This system is an excellent alternative for 3D investigation of microbubble high-speed oscillation, especially when budgets are limited
Summary
Ultrasound microbubbles (MB) have been intensively investigated due to their many applications, such as enhancing ultrasound imaging for diagnosis and potential drug/gene delivery for therapy [1, 2]. The size of ultrasound microbubbles is usually distributed between 1 and 10 μm to pass through human capillaries. When injected into the bloodstream and illuminated with radio-frequency (RF, such as 1-10 MHz) ultrasonic radiation, microbubbles can oscillate and emit acoustic signals that can be detected for ultrasound imaging. Targeting microbubbles are attracting much attention because the potential applications for ultrasound molecular imaging and local drug/gene delivery [1, 2]. By oscillating or breaking these microbubbles, molecular imaging or local drug/gene delivery can be conducted
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