Description
The USphere Series of microbubble contrast agents have been specifically designed for preclinical imaging, working effectively at frequencies from 1-40MHz. Their small size distribution (1.1-1.4µm), and high concentration (~2.5×1010?bubbles/ml), make them ideally suited for use in a variety of species from mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primates, etc. There are a variety of agents available including those to image perfusion, targeted biomarkers, as well as those that contain fluorescent dyes to allow for multi-modal imaging, and those designed for targeted drug delivery or gene transfection.
The USphere Series of microbubble contrast agents have been specifically designed for use in a variety of species used in preclinical research, anywhere from mice, rats, rabbits, and even pigs; and have been tested and shown to work effectively at frequencies from 1 to 40MHz. Specifically, these agents have been tested on our Prospect T1 high-frequency ultrasound system and have been found to perform well with both linear and harmonic contrast imaging modes.
There are a variety of bubble configurations available, those to study perfusion alone, others to aid in biomarker detection, and again others to perform ultrasound-mediated drug or gene delivery, as well as more advanced theranostic applications.
The key factors that control the particle size of the microbubble have been identified; by precisely adjusting the lipid formulation, the USphere agents have been designed to have the smallest size distribution (1.1-1.4µm) compared to others on the market today. The USphere agents have a phospholipid shell filled with perfluoropropane (C3F8) or optional perfluorobutane (C4F10). Additionally, the microbubble concentration has been optimized for small animal imaging (~2.5×1010?bubbles/ml), ensuring low-volume injections provide adequate contrast signal in vivo without overwhelming their circulatory system.
Microbubble contrast agents can be used to visualize all levels of the vasculature, providing detailed perfusion information that may be relevant in tumor and abdominal organ imaging, as well as in drug development studies, just to name a few.
Features and benefits
High concentration of microbubbles per ml of activated contrast agent (~1-5×1010 bubbles/ml)
When working with small animals such as mice or rats, the suggested injection volume (1-20µL) is small enough to not overwhelm the circulatory system, while containing sufficient microbubbles to result in the desired contrast enhancement.
Further dilution of the microbubbles may be completed using sterile saline to allow for more accurate delivery of small numbers of microbubbles.
Small size distribution (1.1-1.4µm) of activated microbubbles
The small size of the microbubbles is necessary to allow for accurate perfusion characteristics of the microvasculature.
Microbubbles have been shown to work at a wide range of frequencies (1-40MHz).
The microbubbles can be used on a wide variety of species, from mice, rats, and rabbits, to non-human primates and pigs.
The microbubbles have been used on a wide variety of ultrasound systems from varied manufacturers, using both linear and non-linear/harmonic contrast imaging modes.
Once activated, the microbubble concentration is stable for 72 hours when stored at 2-8° C
The stability of the microbubbles over 3 days allows the user to complete their required studies over the same time, utilizing the entire volume of agents and not wasting excess agents that cannot be used.