abstract |
A method for using metastable perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for ultrasonic lysis of blood clots includes administering metastable perfluorocarbon nanodroplets into a blood vessel that includes or that leads to a blood vessel that includes a blood clot, the metastable perfluorocarbon nanodroplets each have a liquid core comprising a perfluorocarbon material that has a boiling point below 25° C. at atmospheric pressure and that remains stable in liquid form at 25° C. at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes applying ultrasound energy to the perfluorocarbon nanodroplets within or surrounding the blood clot, causing the perfluorocarbon nanodroplets to vaporize and convert to bubbles, which cavitate and lyse the blood clot. |