Physical and biochemical stability of Optison, an injectable ultrasound contrast agent.

Optison(R) is an ultrasound contrast agent, consisting of gas-filled microspheres surrounded by a solid shell of heat-denatured human albumin. Size-distribution measurements of these microspheres are a critical stability indicating factor, because loss of encapsulated gas eliminates ultrasound contrast activity. Composition of the encapsulated gas is also critical, because air-filled microspheres do not persist nearly as long in vivo as microspheres filled with less soluble gases.

Lack of bioeffects of ultrasound energy after intravenous administration of FS069 (Optison) in the anesthetized rabbit.

The current study was designed to provide a sensitive in vivo model to maximize the potential bioeffects (measured by hemolysis) of B-mode ultrasound energy in combination with FS069 (Optison). B-mode ultrasound energy was delivered to anesthetized male New Zealand white rabbits with a phased array 5 MHz transducer on a Hewlett-Packard Sonos 1500 ultrasonograph, with transmit level set to maximum (40 dB, approx 135 W/cm2). FS069 (Optison), latex particles in human albumin, or human albumin alone (vehicle) was infused via an ear vein at 0.