Effects of a DMPC molecular film surrounding microbubbles on the sound-pressure threshold for collapse

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) molecular film surrounding microbubbles on their collapse under ultrasound irradiation. We defined the ejection of the internal gas from the microbubble (i.e. “daughter” bubbles) as bubble collapse. In particular, we measured the sound-pressure thresholds for microbubble collapse in water and a DMPC solution. Bubbles with the DMPC film had a smaller resonance size than naked bubbles. The measured contact angles of the bubbles were lower after collapse, implying that DMPC molecules on the bubble surface partially desorbed between the processes of vibration and collapse.

Experimental conditions for efficient retention of vascular endothelial cells on channel wall using lipid bubbles and acoustic interference

“…Because our group has been researching a method for actively controlling cells using a microbubble [8][9][10][11][12] and ultrasound, we considered applying this novel technique to the fabrication of multilayered construction of the cells, such as artificial vessels with multiple bifurcations. By forming a bubble-surrounded cell (BSC), in which the microbubbles are attached to the surface of a core cell, the dynamics of the cells contained in BSCs are controlled under ultrasound exposure.…”