Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Stabilized Nanobubbles for Diagnostic Applications

Hernandez, Christopher
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0380-7136
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1521123706295258

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Biomedical Engineering.
Bulk nanobubbles, also known as ultrafine bubbles (ISO/ TC281), have recently gained the interest of the research community for their potential application as ultrasound contrast agents for molecular imaging and cancer therapy. However, even with this growing interest, the very existence of nanobubbles and their use as contrast agents have been a subject of controversy for over a decade. This is due to the theoretical effect of reducing the bubble diameter to the nanoscale on both its Laplace pressure and resonance frequency leading to instability and reduced imaging quality, respectively. Despite these theoretical limitations, we have developed a stable and echogenic nanobubble formulation through incorporation of Pluronic, a nonionic triblock co-polymer surfactant, into the lipid shell of perfluorocarbon gas bubbles. To further understand the biophysical properties of these novel nanobubbles, we explored factors contributing to their echogenicity, stability, and fate after gas dissipation. Bubbles were confirmed to be in the sub-micron range and produced strong contrast at clinical ultrasound frequencies. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the incorporation of Pluronic into the lipid membrane increases the stability of nanobubbles under ultrasound by decreasing its monolayer surface tension. Due to the strong interest in the use of nanobubbles as drug delivery agents, their ultimate fate when destroyed by high-power ultrasound was investigated using cryo-EM. Lastly, as a proof of study, CA-125 and PSMA-targeted nanobubbles were developed for the detection of ovarian and prostate cancer, respectively. Results demonstrated that nanobubbles can be used to target and reach antigens expressed on cancer cells beyond the tumor vasculature. Characterization and optimization of nanobubble properties achieved the creation of novel, stabilized nanobubbles for numerous potential clinical applications.
Agata Exner, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Horst von Recum, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
James Basilion, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dean Nakamoto, M.D. (Committee Member)
181 p.
Biomedical Engineering
nanobubbles; microbubbles; ultrasound contrast agents; molecular imaging; cancer; diagnostic ultrasound; nanoparticles; surface tension; Langmuir-Blodgett; pendant drop; cryo-EM; Pluronic

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hernandez, C. (2018). Stabilized Nanobubbles for Diagnostic Applications [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1521123706295258

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hernandez, Christopher. Stabilized Nanobubbles for Diagnostic Applications. 2018. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1521123706295258.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hernandez, Christopher. " Stabilized Nanobubbles for Diagnostic Applications." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1521123706295258

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1521123706295258
1,631
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.