Cavitation properties of block copolymer stabilized phase-shift nanoemulsions used as drug carriers

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2010 Mar;36(3):419-29. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.11.009. Epub 2010 Feb 4.

Abstract

Cavitation properties of block copolymer stabilized perfluoropentane nanoemulsions have been investigated. The nanoemulsions were stabilized by two biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymers differing in the structure of the hydrophobic block, poly(ethylene oxide)-co-poly(L-lactide) (PEG-PLLA) and poly(ethylene oxide)-co-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL). Cavitation parameters were measured in liquid emulsions and gels as a function of ultrasound pressure for unfocused or focused 1-MHz ultrasound. Acoustic droplet vaporization preceded generation of acoustic cavitation in liquid matrices and gels. Both stable and inertial cavitation was observed for focused ultrasound while only stable cavitation was observed for unfocused ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Stability
  • Emulsions*
  • Lactates / chemistry*
  • Microbubbles
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Emulsions
  • Lactates
  • Polyesters
  • poly(lactic acid-ethylene glycol)
  • polycaprolactone
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • poly(lactide)