Diagnostic and therapeutic research on ultrasound microbubble/nanobubble contrast agents (Review)

Ma,Jing; Xu,Chang  Song; Gao,Feng; Chen,Ming; Li,Fan; Du,Lian  Fang

doi:10.3892/mmr.2015.3941

Diagnostic and therapeutic research on ultrasound microbubble/nanobubble contrast agents (Review)

Authors:
- Jing Ma
- Chang Song Xu
- Feng Gao
- Ming Chen
- Fan Li
- Lian Fang Du
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Affiliations: Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai First People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China, Department of Ultrasound, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu 223300, P.R. China, Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
Published online on: June 16, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2015.3941
Pages: 4022-4028

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Abstract

The contrast enhanced imaging function of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) has been extensively investigated using physical acoustic signatures. It has a number of novel applications, including tissue‑specific molecular imaging and multi‑modal imaging. In addition there are numerous other therapeutic applications of UCAs, for example as vehicles for drug or gene delivery. These uses are discussed, as well as the acoustically‑induced biological effects, including ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD). This review also explores the considerations for the safe use of UCA from an acoustic standpoint. The scope of the application of UCA has markedly expanded in recent years, and it is a rapidly growing field of medical research. The current article reviews recent advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ultrasound microbubble/nanobubble contrast agents.

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