Nanobubbles from Gas‐Generating Polymeric Nanoparticles: Ultrasound Imaging of Living Subjects

Abstract

A bubbly personality: Coalescence and fusion of carbon dioxide nanobubbles in a tumor leads to microbubbles that can be imaged by ultrasound (see picture). The bubbles are released from gas-generating polymeric nanoparticles that are coated with hydrophobically modified chitosan. Hydrolysis of the polymer poly(BL-PO), which consists of a biodegradable main backbone and a carbonate side chain, results in the release of carbon dioxide.