Characterization of Acoustic, Cavitation, and Thermal Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels for Use as Therapeutic Ultrasound Tissue Mimics.
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Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Braunstein, L
Brüningk, SC
Rivens, I
Civale, J
Haar, GT
Brüningk, SC
Rivens, I
Civale, J
Haar, GT
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2022-06-01
Date Accepted
2022-02-06
Abstract
The thermal and mechanical effects induced in tissue by ultrasound can be exploited for therapeutic applications. Tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs), reflecting different soft tissue properties, are required for experimental evaluation of therapeutic potential. In the study described here, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were characterized. Hydrogels prepared using different concentrations (5%-20% w/w) and molecular weights of PVA ± cellulose scatterers (2.5%-10% w/w) were characterized acoustically (sound speed, attenuation) as a function of temperature (25°C-45°C), thermally (thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity) and in terms of their cavitation thresholds. Results were compared with measurements in fresh sheep tissue (kidney, liver, spleen). Sound speed depended most strongly on PVA concentration, and attenuation, on cellulose content. For the range of formulations investigated, the PVA gel acoustic properties (sound speed: 1532 ± 17 to 1590 ± 9 m/s, attenuation coefficient: 0.08 ± 0.01 to 0.37 ± 0.02 dB/cm) fell within those measured in fresh tissue. Cavitation thresholds for 10% PVA hydrogels (50% occurrence: 4.1-5.4 MPa, 75% occurrence: 5.4-8.2 MPa) decreased with increasing cellulose content. In summary, PVA cellulose composite hydrogels may be suitable mimics of acoustic, cavitation and thermal properties of soft tissue for a number of therapeutic ultrasound applications.
Citation
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 2022, 48 (6), pp. 1095 - 1109
Source Title
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
ISSN
0301-5629
eISSN
1879-291X
1879-291X
1879-291X
Collections
Research Team
Therapeutic Ultrasound