title: A prototype 'Infucon' device for continuous infusion of microbubbles in vivo.
abstract: A device for continuous infusion of microbubbles (MBs) 'Infucon' has been designed, constructed and tested on rabbits. The device prevents MBs from flotation and accumulation in the layer directly below the surface in the syringe injection during i.v. application. Homogenous i.v. application of MBs was tested on 16 male New Zealand White rabbits (average weight about 3.5 kg). Two sorts of MBs were used - a set of commercial SonoVue diagnostic microbubbles (Bracco) and pegylated DPPC microbubbles (PegMBs), which had been prepared in our laboratory. Sulphur hexafluoride was used as a filling gas. The application of MBs by continuous infusion via Infucon prolonged the ultrasound signal period in the heart of the rabbit to 12 min in comparison to about 1 min observed in bolus application. No adverse effects were observed on the tested rabbits after the MB application via Infucon. The principle employed in the prototype device Infucon could be used for development of the device intended for clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Immunotherapy, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 10, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic. zuzana.kauerova@gmail.com
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kauerová
authors.forename: Róbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lukáč
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kohout
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mašek
authors.forename: Štěpán
authors.initials: Š
authors.lastname: Koudelka
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plocková
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vašíčková
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vlašín
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turánek
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles; D010743:Phospholipids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride