The Acoustic Scatter from Single biSphere Microbubbles

Abstract Single microbubble acoustic acquisitions provide information on the behaviour of microbubble populations by enabling the generation of large amounts of data. Acoustic signals from single polylactide-shelled and albumin coated biSphere™ microbubbles have been acquired. The responses observed from a range of incident frequencies and acoustic pressures varied in duration. Partial echoes shorter than the incident pulse duration have been observed for low frequency pulses of sufficient amplitude, suggesting release of gas from bubbles. The results presented suggest that the mechanism of scatter from hard shelled agents may be shell disruption and gas release, or partly from gas leaking from defected shell sites, which has previously not been observed optically. These results can provide the basis for improved imaging through optimization of incident pulse parameters, with potential benefits to both diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. (E-mail: d.h.thomas@ed.ac.uk )