Control of cavitation-induced hemolysis with a surface-active polymer

This study was performed to identify the affect of variations in the surface activity of the polymer poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA) on cavitation-induced hemolysis. The surface activity of PPAA was varied by changing the molecular weight (MW1=43 kDa and MW2=60 kDa) and the solution pH (pH=5.0, 6.1, and 7.4). Acoustic energy was delivered with a 1.1-MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound transducer. Comparing the two molecular weights, the 60-kDa polymer was a better agent for nucleating cavitation independent of the solution pH, and was a better agent for enhancing cavitation-induced hemolysis.