CONTAGEUSNUMSTADY is a research project dedicated to the modeling, analysis and characterization of coated microbubbles (also known as contrast agents).

Such bioparticles are employed in biomedical applications for

• enhancing contrast in medical imaging and
• improving the efficiency and localization of drug delivery.

Emphasis in placed in developing the theoretical and numerical tools necessary for predicting the effect of the viscoelastic coating on their static and dynamic response, thereby facilitating the characterization and parameter estimation of the coating material.

Phospholipid and polymeric shells are examined in particular, in the context of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and acoustic measurements using ultrasound. :Results of the theoretical and numerical analysis obtained by the research team of the University of Thessaly are compared against experimental AFM and acoustic measurements from the collaborating group of the University of Edinburgh.

The outcome of the research is expected to provide understanding of the static and dynamic behavior of such particles, both free but also in the vicinity of nearby boundaries or even as they are trapped by tissue, thus allowing the custom design of next generation contrast agents depending on the desired application.