Lipid Microbubble Production via Phase Transition Agitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current micro-bubbles used as ultrasound contrast agents are relatively large and unstable in blood circulation, making it difficult to achieve sufficient accumulation in target tissues and resulting in low material utilization efficiency, which hinders their commercialization and effectiveness in medical applications such as ultrasound imaging and targeted therapy.
Innovation Solution
A method of producing lipid-based micro/nano bubbles by determining the fluidity of the lipid membrane and main phase transition temperature of a lipid mixture, and mechanically agitating a closed vessel containing the lipid carrier solution at temperatures around the phase transition temperature to form micro/nano bubbles with controlled size distribution and improved stability, utilizing a lipid mixture with different phase transition temperatures and a hydrophilic polymer moiety to enhance material utilization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional micro-bubbles are used, then they can be applied as ultrasound contrast agents, but they are relatively large and unstable in blood circulation, making it difficult to achieve sufficient accumulation in target tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the micro-bubble by using lipid-based materials with specific phase transition temperatures and controlling the diameter within 1-10 μm. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing both stability and size simultaneously through parameter optimization rather than conventional approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite lipid-based materials combining different lipid components with specific properties to create micro-bubbles that are both stable in circulation and appropriately sized. The composite nature of the lipid mixture enables simultaneous optimization of stability and diameter control
2Productivity
If conventional micro-bubbles are used, then they can circulate in the blood stream, but they have low material utilization efficiency, resulting in great loss of costly functional compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes material utilization efficiency by controlling the phase transition temperature of the lipid mixture and the diameter of the micro-bubbles. This ensures that the functional compounds are efficiently incorporated and retained in the micro-bubbles, reducing loss while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical generation methods with a chemical/physical approach using phase transition of lipid mixtures to form micro-bubbles. This substitution leads to better control over micro-bubble formation, improving material utilization efficiency and reducing loss of functional compounds
3Speed
If conventional micro-bubbles are used, then they can provide echo-enhancement in ultrasound imaging, but they are hard to reach sufficient accumulation in target tissue in limited time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the phase transition temperature and composition of the lipid mixture to control micro-bubble formation and release characteristics. This enables faster accumulation in target tissues while maintaining circulation stability, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability
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
This approach allows for the production of micro/nano bubbles with optimal size and stability, reducing manufacturing costs and improving their retention time and effectiveness in medical applications like ultrasound contrast imaging and targeted therapy, while also enabling transdermal delivery and cleaning applications.
Implementation Method 1
the main phase transition temperature of the transparent lipid carrier solution are determined by the composition of the lipid mixture, and the closed vessel containing the lipid carrier is mechanically agitated at the temperature around the main phase transition temperature of lipid carrier
Implementation Method 2
mechanically agitating a closed vessel containing the lipid carrier solution at temperatures around the phase transition temperature to form micro/nano bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing lipid-based micro/nano bubbles includes steps of (a) preparing a lipid mixture including one or more first lipids with different phase transition temperature, and a second lipid bonding with a hydrophilic polymer moiety or molecules capable of getting across a lipid membrane and decreasing van der Waals forces between lipid bilayers; (b) emulsifying the lipid mixture with a solvent, to form a transparent lipid carrier solution; (c) placing the transparent lipid carrier solution in a closed vessel with halo-substituted hydrocarbon; (d) manipulating temperature of the transparent lipid carrier solution to be close to a main phase transition temperature thereof; and (e) agitating in a mechanical manner the vessel containing the transparent lipid carrier solution to form micro/nano bubbles within the closed vessel. This method contributes to form micro/nano bubbles with desired diameters in a way of optimal material utilization efficiency.