The EkoSonic endovascular system has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the controlled and selective infusion of physician specified fluids, including thrombolytics, into the peripheral vasculature and the pulmonary arteries. The objective of this study was to explore whether this catheter technology could sustain cavitation nucleated by infused Definity, to support subsequent studies of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery to diseased arteries. The concentration and attenuation spectroscopy of Definity were assayed before and after infusion at 0.3, 2.0 and 4.0 mL/min through the EkoSonic catheter. PCI was used to map and quantify stable and inertial cavitation as a function of Definity concentration in a flow phantom mimicking the porcine femoral artery. The 2.0 mL/min infusion rate yielded the highest surviving Definity concentration and acoustic attenuation. Cavitation was sustained throughout each 15 ms ultrasound pulse, as well as throughout the 3 min infusion. These results demonstrate a potential pathway to use cavitation nucleation to promote drug delivery with the EkoSonic endovascular system.

EkoSonic 血管内系统已获得美国食品和药物管理局的批准，可用于将医生指定的液体（包括溶栓剂）控制和选择性输注到外周脉管系统和肺动脉中。本研究的目的是探索这种导管技术是否可以维持注入 Definity 成核的空化，以支持随后对超声介导的药物向病变动脉输送的研究。在通过 EkoSonic 导管以 0.3、2.0 和 4.0 mL/min 输注之前和之后测定 Definity 的浓度和衰减光谱。PCI 用于绘制和量化稳定和惯性空化作为模拟猪股动脉的流动体模中 Definity 浓度的函数。2. 0 mL/min 输注速率产生最高的存活 Definity 浓度和声衰减。空化在每 15 ms 超声脉冲以及整个 3 分钟输注过程中持续存在。这些结果证明了使用空化成核促进 EkoSonic 血管内系统药物输送的潜在途径。