Characteristics and ultrasonic imaging of a nano-scale ultrasound-enhanced contrast / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate characteristics and ultrasonic imaging of the nano-scale ultrasound-enhanced contrast in vivo. Methods Nano-scale microbubbles were prepared by machine vibration and low speed centrifugation. The surface morphology and average size distribution of microbuble were measured. The contrast-enhanced effect of the hahn-scale microbubbles in the normal rabbit liver was observed,and compared with micro-scale microbubbles. Results The nano-scale microbubbles had a good shape and uniform distribution by light microscope and transmission electron microscope, with average diameter of 623.4 nm and surface electric potential of 1.3 inV. The contrast imaging study in vivo showed the nano-scale microbubbles could significantly enhance ultrasonic imaging of rabbit livers, which had no obvious difference with micro-scale microbubbles. Conclusions The nano-scale ultrasound contrast agent is stable and effective for the enhancement of ultrasound imaging, which is based on development of miniaturizing targeting ultrasound contrast agent.