Evaluation of damage on vascular endothelial cells under exposure of burst wave with presence of lipid bubbles

We have previously reported methods for the active control of microbubbles, and the use of cells surrounded by microbubbles to deliver drugs in human blood vessels using acoustic radiation force. However, the effect and degree of damage to blood vessel walls has not previously been studied with respect to the application of continuous and burst ultrasound emissions. We examined the destruction of lipid bubbles, which were injected into the circulation path, to measure the fragility under various conditions of ultrasound exposure. Next, the cell viability of vascular endothelial cells in the presence of bubbles was verified, where the various conditions of ultrasound were irradiated to suspension composed with the cells and the bubbles. We confirmed that cell viability decreased in the presence of bubbles in proportion to a sound pressure and a duty ratio. Furthermore, we found a significant relationship between the cell viability and the destruction coefficient of bubbles.