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Automatic Echographic Detection of Halloysite Clay Nanotubes in a Low Concentration Range

Authors :
Francesco Conversano
Paola Pisani
Ernesto Casciaro
Marco Di Paola
Stefano Leporatti
Roberto Franchini
Alessandra Quarta
Giuseppe Gigli
Sergio Casciaro
Source :
Nanomaterials, Vol 6, Iss 4, p 66 (2016)
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2016.

Abstract

Aim of this work was to investigate the automatic echographic detection of an experimental drug delivery agent, halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs), by employing an innovative method based on advanced spectral analysis of the corresponding β€œraw” radiofrequency backscatter signals. Different HNT concentrations in a low range (5.5–66 × 1010 part/mL, equivalent to 0.25–3.00 mg/mL) were dispersed in custom-designed tissue-mimicking phantoms and imaged through a clinically-available echographic device at a conventional ultrasound diagnostic frequency (10 MHz). The most effective response (sensitivity = 60%, specificity = 95%), was found at a concentration of 33 × 1010 part/mL (1.5 mg/mL), representing a kind of best compromise between the need of enough particles to introduce detectable spectral modifications in the backscattered signal and the necessity to avoid the losses of spectral peculiarity associated to higher HNT concentrations. Based on theoretical considerations and quantitative comparisons with literature-available results, this concentration could also represent an optimal concentration level for the automatic echographic detection of different solid nanoparticles when employing a similar ultrasound frequency. Future dedicated studies will assess the actual clinical usefulness of the proposed approach and the potential of HNTs for effective theranostic applications.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20794991
Volume :
6
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nanomaterials
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fd6902518fb94ca79b215f546eec8f2b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano6040066