Activation and 3D Imaging of Phase-change Nanodroplet Contrast Agents with a 2D Ultrasound Probe

© 2019 IEEE. Nanodroplets are on-demand ultrasound contrast agents. They can remain in circulation longer in vivo than mi-crobubbles and can be spatiotemporally and selectively activated to provide contrast when required. Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets have been used for conventional 2D ultrasound imaging and different types of nanodroplets have been studied and characterized by researchers regarding their suitability for imaging. However, the use of nanodroplets for 3D imaging and their activation using a 2D ultrasound probe has not been reported. In this study, we investigate the nanodroplet activation using a 2D ultrasound imaging probe within clinical safety limits. © 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.