Acoustic Cavitation Enhances Focused Ultrasound Ablation with Phase-Shift Inorganic Perfluorohexane Nanoemulsions: An In Vitro Study Using a Clinical Device

Biomed Res Int. 2016:2016:7936902. doi: 10.1155/2016/7936902. Epub 2016 Jun 23.

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate whether acoustic cavitation could increase the evaporation of a phase-shift inorganic perfluorohexane (PFH) nanoemulsion and enhance high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation. Materials and Methods. PFH was encapsulated by mesoporous silica nanocapsule (MSNC) to form a nanometer-sized droplet (MSNC-PFH). It was added to a tissue-mimicking phantom, whereas phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was added as a control (PBS-control). HIFU (P ac = 150 W, t = 5/10 s) exposures were performed in both phantoms with various duty cycles (DC). US images, temperature, and cavitation emissions were recorded during HIFU exposure. HIFU-induced lesions were measured and calculated. Results. Compared to PBS-control, MSNC-PFH nanoemulsion could significantly increase the volume of HIFU-induced lesion (P < 0.01). Peak temperatures were 78.16 ± 5.64°C at a DC of 100%, 70.17 ± 6.43°C at 10%, 53.17 ± 4.54°C at 5%, and 42.00 ± 5.55°C at 2%, respectively. Inertial cavitation was much stronger in the pulsed-HIFU than that in the continuous-wave HIFU exposure. Compared to 100%-DC exposure, the mean volume of lesion induced by 5 s exposure at 10%-DC was significantly larger, but smaller at 2%-DC. Conclusions. MSNC-PFH nanoemulsion can significantly enhance HIFU ablation. Appropriate pulsed-HIFU exposure could significantly increase the volume of lesion and reduce total US energy required for HIFU ablation.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fluorocarbons / chemistry*
  • Fluorocarbons / radiation effects
  • Fluorocarbons / therapeutic use
  • Gases / chemical synthesis
  • Gases / radiation effects
  • High-Energy Shock Waves
  • High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / instrumentation*
  • High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / methods*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inorganic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemicals / radiation effects
  • Inorganic Chemicals / therapeutic use
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry*
  • Nanocapsules / radiation effects*
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • Gases
  • Inorganic Chemicals
  • Nanocapsules
  • perflexane