Freeze-thawing at point-of-use to extend shelf stability of lipid-based oxygen microbubbles for intravenous oxygen delivery

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2016-07, Vol.500, p.72-78
• Main Authors: Thomson, Lindsay M., Seekell, Raymond P., McGowan, Francis X., Kheir, John N., Polizzotti, Brian D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emulsions; LOM; Melting; Microwaves; Oxygen; Running; Stability; Strategy
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2016.03.064

[Display omitted] A continuous supply of oxygen gas is critical to sustain life. However, current delivery strategies are dependent on functioning lungs for effective gas delivery. We have recently shown that oxygen gas can be safely administered through intravenous routes when packaged within lipid-based oxygen microbubbles (LOMs). However, the long-term stability of LOMs is poor, which may limit the clinical applicability of this technology. Here, we describe a freeze-thawing strategy to prolong the shelf life of concentrated LOMs. In addition, we examine the effect of various rapid thawing strategies in an attempt to identify an approach that would enable use of this technique in emergent clinical situations. Our results suggest that LOM emulsions stored at −20°C followed by rapid thawing under warm running water or microwave irradiation exhibit preserved microbubble size distribution and oxygen carrying capacity for at least 30 days. Further investigation into the limits and clinical viability of these techniques are warranted.