Formulation of Perfluorocarbon-Filled Droplets for Ultrasound-Mediated Applications
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Microbubbles and nanodroplets are tools used in medicine for diagnosis and therapy. Probubbles are initially submicrometer droplets that become microbubbles in tumors as a result of ultrasonic force. The aim of this investigation was to determine vaporization thresholds of perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets as a function of PFC boiling point and droplet size. PFC droplets with boiling points -1. 7 to 56.6°C were formulated followed by acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) and stability testing. Under ultrasound acoustic outputs used, perfluorohexane (PFH) droplets did not vaporize while perfluoro(-2- methyl-3-pentanone) (PFMP), perfluoropentane (PFP), and perfluorobutane (PFB) droplets did vaporize. The acoustic output required to vaporize droplets decreased with decreasing boiling point. Vaporization threshold is a function of size with larger diameter droplets requiring less ultrasound output to vaporize. PFH, PFMP, and PFP droplets remained stable after 16 weeks in 4°C and 23°C environments, but PFMP and PFP evaporated entirely in a 40°C oven after 12 weeks.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)