Characterization of Acoustic, Cavitation, and Thermal Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels for Use as Therapeutic Ultrasound Tissue Mimics
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2022-06
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
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.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
48 (6)
Pages / Article No.
1095 - 1109
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Focused ultrasound; High-intensity focused ultrasound; Therapeutic ultrasound; Tissue mimic; Poly(vinyl alcohol); Cavitation thresholds; Acoustic properties; Thermal properties; Phantom material