Ultrasound induced deflation: A method to study the behaviour of single bubbles with varying radius

Phospholipids coated microbubbles exposed to ultrasound (US) are known to deflate, with possible impact on the results of diagnostic imaging applications. This paper reports on an acousto-optic study of the behaviour of single microbubbles exposed to pulsed low-pressure excitation sequences over long time intervals, during which the bubbles experience ultrasound-induced deflation. The set-up provides radius and echo information that is combined to show resonance effects, and second harmonic responses as a function of diameter.