Cavitation induced cell detachment and membrane permeabilization

The effects of cavitation bubble dynamics on cells has been investigated with respect to cell damage, cell detachment and membrane permeabilization. High-speed images show the dynamics of pressure excited contrast agents and of lithotripter generated cavitation bubbles adjacent to cells. It is shown that cells are detached from a substrate by the action of cavitation bubbles. Furthermore, fluorescence labeling techniques indicate destruction and transient permeabilization of cell membranes after cavitation activity conterminous to the sites of cell detachment.