Behavior of bubbles of slowly permeating gas used for ultrasonic imaging contrast.
OBJECTIVE
The authors predict behavior of blood cell-sized bubbles containing a foreign gas that slowly crosses a gas-liquid interface. Such bubbles are being developed for ultrasonic contrast.


METHODS
Using appropriate coefficients for N2, O2, CO2, and foreign gases, the authors simulate diffusion between bubbles and blood with a numerically solved equation system.


RESULTS
Within 30 seconds after intravenous injection of bubbles, entrance of endogenous gases more than doubles the radius. In vivo size and duration of the bubbles are quantitatively related to the amount of the foreign gas inside. Size and ultrasonic imaging effectiveness of the circulating bubbles become larger in lungs than in the rest of the circulation. As the foreign gas is lost, imaging effectiveness diminishes more rapidly than bubble radius.


CONCLUSIONS
Bubbles of slowly permeating gas change size and composition after injection and also during their passage through different parts of the circulation.
van Liew
H D
HD
Department of Physiology, State University of New York at Buffalo 14214, USA.
Burkard
M E
ME
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005740:Gases; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D005740:Gases