Mathematical modeling of microbubble cavitation at 70Â kHz and the importance of the subharmonic in drug delivery from micelles

► The dynamic oscillations of a 10-μm-diameter bubble insonated at 70 kHz were modeled. ► Poincaré maps and bifurcation diagram show that bubble oscillations bifurcate at a MI = 0.32. ► Experimental ultrasonic release of drug from micelles occurs at a MI = 0.37. ► The onset of release correlates with the intensity of the subharmonic. ► This correlation hints at insonation conditions that could facilitate drug delivery.