Characterization and ultrasound-pulse mediated destruction of ultrasound contrast microbubbles

Intravenously injected encapsulated microbubbles improve the contrast of an ultrasound image. Their destruction is used in measuring blood flow, stimulating arteriogenesis, and drug delivery. We measure attenuation and scattering of ultrasound through solution of commercial contrast agents such as Sonazoid and Definity. We have developed a number of different interfacial rheology models for the encapsulation of such microbubbles. By matching with experimentally measured attenuation, we obtain the characteristic rheological parameters. We compare model predictions with measured subharmonic responses. We also investigate microbubble destruction under acoustic excitation by measuring time-varying attenuation data. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.