Abstract:

Aim To research on a stable microbubble with good acoustic properties and excellent imaging enhancing effect, and to make it to be a promising agent for the enhancement of ultrasound imaging in the ultrasound diagnosis of cardiovascular system diseases. Methods The morphology, size and zeta potential of lipid-coated microbubbles (LCM), the acoustic properties of backscatter, and the second harmonic scatter of LCM were determined. Furthermore, the relationship between the concentrations and the amplitude values of the second harmonic was investigated by testing the intensities of the second harmonic at different concentrations. The imaging effect of LCM was also studied in vitro. Results The mean diameter of LCM was 3.38 μm with 95% of the bubbles under 5 μm. The scatter signal generated by microbubbles was observed under different concentrations in the bistatic modes while the position of transmitting transducer and receiving transducer was orthogonal. The intensity of the second harmonic scatter fell with the decrease of microbubble concentration. The increase rate of the second harmonic amplitude values generated by the microbubbles versus that by physiological saline was linear with the natural logarithm of bubble concentrations. The LCM could enhance the ultrasound image of thrombus. Conclusion The LCM exhibited good physical state and acoustic properties, which could increase the imaging quality.

Key words: Microbubble, Microbubble, Ultrasound contrast agent, Ultrasound contrast agent, Imaging, Imaging, Acoustic property, Acoustic property, Scatter, Scatter, The second harmonic, The second harmonic