Needle Size and Injection Rate Impact Microbubble Contrast Agent Population

The most common type of ultrasound contrast agents are encapsulated microbubbles, typically 1 to 5 microns in diameter. These microbubbles are injected into the bloodstream to provide image enhancement during an ultrasound examination. Because of their compressibility, these microbubbles are inherently sensitive to changes in pressure. For imaging, this is beneficial in that these microbubbles oscillate in an acoustic field and allow imaging systems to detect their response uniquely from tissue. However, this sensitivity also means that microbubbles can be readily destroyed by significant hydrostatic pressure. Injection of these microbubbles through a small-gauge catheter, such as is sometimes performed in small animal imaging studies, can result in microbubble destruction. In this manuscript, the effects of microbubble injection through catheters of varying diameter are examined. Our results indicate that the concentration and size distribution of microbubbles can be substantially altered in cases of rapid injection through small-gauge needles. (E-mail: padayton@bme.unc.edu)