NEXT-GENERATION COLLOIDAL MATERIALS FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPLICATIONS

Ultrasound has important applications, predominantly in the field of diagnostic imaging. Presently, colloidal systems such as microbubbles, phase-change emulsion droplets and particle systems with acoustic properties and multiresponsiveness are being developed to address typical issues faced when using commercial ultrasound contrast agents, and to extend the utility of such systems to targeted drug delivery and multimodal imaging. Current technologies and increasing research data on the chemistry, physics and materials science of new colloidal systems are also leading to the development of more complex, novel and application-specific colloidal assemblies with ultrasound contrast enhancement and other properties, which could be beneficial for multiple biomedical applications, especially imaging-guided treatments. In this article, we review recent developments in new colloids with applications that use ultrasound contrast enhancement. This work also highlights the emergence of colloidal materials fabricated from or modified with biologically derived and bio-inspired materials, particularly in the form of biopolymers and biomembranes. Challenges, limitations, potential developments and future directions of these next-generation colloidal systems are also presented and discussed. (E-mail: rico. tabor@monash.edu) (c) 2022 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Ultrasound has important applications in diagnostic imaging, and new colloidal systems are being developed to address issues with commercial ultrasound contrast agents and expand their utility in targeted drug delivery and multimodal imaging. These systems, fabricated from or modified with biologically derived materials, show potential for biomedical applications, particularly imaging-guided treatments. This review article discusses recent developments, challenges, limitations, and future directions of colloids with ultrasound contrast enhancement.