Ligands tethering to biocompatible ultrasound active polymeric microbubbles surface

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging, also known as echography, is a widespread diagnostic tool in medicine. Handiness and versatility are established assets of this noninvasive imaging technique. Echogenic devices enhance the sensitivity of this method and formulations of novel systems is a growing field in biomedical research. In this contribution we describe the synthesis, the mesoscopic characterization, and the functionalization of microbubbles based on telechelic poly (vinyl alcohol) for a next-generation ultrasound imaging multifunctional device suitable for diagnosis as well as for therapeutic purposes. © 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.