As a fundamental tool for enhancing ultrasound imaging contrast, ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) have made significant advances in medical diagnosis and therapeutics in recent years. Their development has processed through four generations, with each generation achieving breakthroughs in core gas composition, shell materials, stability, and clinical applicability. The imaging mechanism of UCAs is based on the interaction between microbubbles and ultrasound waves, producing enhanced backscatter to generate clearer images. The in vivo behavior of microbubbles is influenced by various physiological factors. Both the core gas and shell materials are ultimately metabolized or safely eliminated from the body. Common preparation methods include ultrasonic cavitation, high-shear processing, mechanical agitation and so on. In modern medical applications, UCAs are widely employed in the diagnostic imaging of the heart, liver and tumors. Moreover, through targeted ligand modification and drug-loading strategies, they offer potential for theranostic application, i.e., integrating diagnosis and treatment. UCAs can also provide unique therapeutic benefit through gas-mediated therapies. This review systematically presents the development history of UCAs, elaborating on their imaging mechanisms, in vivo behavior, preparation techniques, physicochemical characteristics, and emerging applications at diagnostic-therapeutic interface.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |