Workshop Schedule
Schedule
Instructors
Prof. Mark Borden
Prof. Sameer Dalvi
Prof. Himanshu Shekhar
Prof. Karla Mercado-Shekhar
Day 1
Lecture1: Introduction to microbubble engineering (Prof. Mark Borden)
Structure of a microbubble, its characteristics and properties, types of microbubbles, different gases and materials used for the synthesis of microbubbles, the usefulness of microbubbles in biomedical applications and the role of ultrasound in applications involving microbubbles.
Lecture 2: Synthesis of Microbubbles (Prof. Sameer Dalvi)
Various techniques for microbubble production such as shaking, sonication, membrane emulsification, inkjet printing, coaxial electrohydrodynamic atomization, and T-junction devices, advantages and disadvantages of these techniques. Production of narrow-sized microbubble suspensions typically in the range of 3-5µm using centrifugal size isolation and acoustic sorting. Combining ultrasound and microfluidics for the production of narrow-sized microbubble suspension.
Lecture 3: Thermodynamics and kinetics of microbubble dissolution and stability of microbubble suspensions (Prof. Mark Borden)
Methods to study and characterize microbubble dissolution, basics of thermodynamics and transport processes involved in microbubble dissolution, and mathematical models available for the description of microbubble dissolution. Understanding the two-way diffusion process involving diffusion of core gas from the microbubble and diffusion of surrounding gases into the microbubble through the porous microbubble shell.
Ostwald ripening of microbubbles; factors affecting microbubble stability, such as shell resistance, shell elasticity, surface tension, solution viscosity, and solubility of core gas in the surrounding solution.
Practical Session 1: Demonstration for synthesis and characterization of microbubbles (Prof. Sameer Dalvi & Prof. Mark Borden)
Demonstration of microbubble synthesis using the sonication method followed by Centrifugal size isolation of microbubbles, Synthesis of microbubbles using a combination of microfluidics and ultrasound, Size characterization of microbubbles, demonstration in-vitro dissolution of the single microbubble.
Day 2
Lecture 4: Introduction to ultrasound imaging and ultrasonic characterization of contrast agents (Prof. Karla Mercado-Shekhar)
Ultrasound is a rapidly evolving imaging modality that can improve access to cutting-edge healthcare. This talk will provide an overview of ultrasound physics, signal acquisition and processing, and image formation. We will also discuss ultrasonic characterization techniques to assess the response of ultrasound contrast agents and phase-change droplets.
Lecture 5: Contrast-enhanced perfusion and molecular imaging with microbubbles (Prof. Himanshu Shekhar)
Encapsulated microbubbles are used as contrast agents in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The field of contrast-enhanced imaging has grown significantly in the past two decades. Technology has evolved from imaging based on linear principles to elaborate pulsing and microbubble-specific detection strategies for nonlinear imaging. This talk will focus on the physical and conceptual underpinnings of imaging based on ultrasound contrast agents.
Lecture 6: Nanodroplets (Prof. Mark Borden)
Phase-change droplets for microbubble generation Thermodynamics and kinetics of phase-change microbubbles and their applications, applications of nanodrops in ultrasonic imaging and drug delivery.
Practical Session 2: Demonstration of acoustic characterization and imaging of microbubbles and nanodroplets (Prof. Himanshu Shekhar & Prof. Karla Mercado-Shekhar)
Acoustic attenuation spectroscopy, acoustic droplet vaporization, flow phantom imaging, contrast-enhancement through nonlinear mechanisms.