Graphene Amphiphilic Microbubble Shell for Ultrasound Contrast Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound contrast agents face challenges in achieving uniform particle size and long-term stability, leading to limitations in performance and reproducibility as ultrasound contrast agents.

Innovation Solution

The method involves sonicating an aqueous solution containing a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material in the presence of an inert gas or carbon dioxide, forming organic microbubble complex particles with a core and shell structure, which enhances stability and reproducibility when used as an ultrasound contrast agent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If gas is injected into aqueous medium to form bubbles, then bubbles can be formed, but particle size uniformity is poor and shape stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size uniformityVSAvoidshape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite shell structure consisting of multiple layers with different functions: an inner layer providing structural stability and an outer layer providing surface protection and uniformity. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of particle size uniformity and shape stability, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a thin film shell structure that is both flexible enough to form uniform particles and rigid enough to maintain shape stability. The shell is designed with specific thickness and material properties that enable it to constrain the gas core while providing a smooth, uniform outer surface, thereby achieving both particle size uniformity and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If surfactant or surface stabilizing materials are added to aqueous medium, then structural stability is improved, but mass production with constant size becomes difficult and long-term storage stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmass production capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shell structure into multiple functional segments or layers, each responsible for specific properties. This segmentation allows the shell to simultaneously provide structural stability, maintain constant size during mass production, and ensure long-term storage stability. Each layer can be optimized independently for its specific function while working together as a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional bubble preparation methods are used, then bubbles can be formed, but long-term storage stability is insufficient for diagnosis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble formationVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a protective shell structure that is formed beforehand to cushion and protect the gas core from environmental factors. This pre-formed shell acts as a barrier that prevents bubble degradation, coalescence, or dissolution during storage and transport, thereby ensuring long-term storage stability while maintaining ease of manufacture through a standardized shell formation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach results in microbubble complex particles with high uniformity and long-term stability, providing improved ultrasound contrast enhancement and reproducibility, and allows for potential therapeutic applications through photothermal effects.

Implementation Method 1

sonicating an aqueous solution including a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

sonicating an aqueous solution including a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material in the presence of a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic cavitation: Acoustic Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS9561293B2Preparation method of organic microbubble complex particle, organic microbubble complex particle, and ultrasound contrast agent

Publication Date: 2017.02.07 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a method for preparing organic microbubble complex particles including sonicating an aqueous solution including a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material in the presence of a gas, a method for preparing organic microbubble complex particles including injecting an aqueous solution including a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material into a microchannel, and an organic microbubble complex particle including a core part including at least one gas selected from the group consisting of an inert gas and carbon dioxide, and a shell layer including a graphene compound and an amphiphilic material, and an ultrasound contrast agent including the organic microbubble complex particles.