MICROBUBBLE FORMULATIONS: SYNTHESIS, STABILITY, MODELING AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Microbubbles are increasingly being used in biomedical applications such as ultrasonic imaging and targeted drug delivery. Microbubbles typically range from 0.1 to 10 mu m in size and consist of a protective shell made of lipids or proteins. The shell encapsulates a gaseous core containing gases such as oxygen, sulfur hexafluoride or perfluorocarbons. This review is a consolidated account of information available in the literature on research related to microbubbles. Efforts have been made to present an overview of microbubble synthesis techniques; microbubble stability; microbubbles as contrast agents in ultrasonic imaging and drug delivery vehicles; and side effects related to microbubble administration in humans. Developments related to the modeling of microbubble dissolution and stability are also discussed. (C) 2018 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. All rights reserved.