Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/189955

Title

Methods for sonochemical manufacture of proteinaceous ultrasound contrast agents

Author(s)

Lee, Brian G.;  Aldham, Ben;  Scoble, Judy;  Raicevic, Anna;  Sutalo, Ilija;  Stewart, Robert;  Manasseh, Richard;  Silberstein, Morry

Abstract

Laboratory procedures for the sonochemical manufacture of proteinaceous contrast agents are reviewed and documented. The objective was to develop a standard protocol to enable ultrasound contrast researchers to develop consistent agents. Proteinaceous agents continue to be in clincal use and are the subject of renewed interest owing to their potential as a platform for antibody-targeted diagnostics. The agents are prepared by sonication. Protocols for agent preparation are scattered throughout literature with methodologies varying between laboratories. While new imaging technologies improve agent visualisation, there are limited correlations between contrast agent manufacturing methods and in vitro performance. The present experimental study has determined that successful production of a stable shell coating the bubble is a result of precise attention to denaturation of protein prior to sonication. The resulting shell coats the bubble and greatly slows down gas dissolution that would otherwise result in rapid disappearance of the agent or poor shelf life. The fluid-dynamical process by which the agent is formed is discussed. Issues of technique such as the location of the sonotrode tip, sonication time and power, and and the container size are detailed. Finally, procedures for quantitative characterisation of the agent by a range of instruments are discussed. In conclusion, a complete and consistent protocol from the initial biochemical source to the agent characterisation can be produced.

Publication type

Conference paper

Source

Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology: abstracts of the 12th World Congress of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB 2009), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 30 August - 03 September 2009, Vol. 35, no. 8, suppl. 1 (Aug 2009), p. S48, paper no. 0358

Publication year

2009

FOR Code(s)

1103 Clinical Sciences

Keyword(s)

Contrast agents;  Manufacturing;  Ultrasounds

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0301-5629

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.06.190

Copyright

Copyright © 2009 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc.