Simulation of cell membrane poration by single bubble acoustic cavitation*

Microbubble cavitation resulting from therapeutic ultrasound can create temporary perforations in cell membranes (referred to as sonoporation), allowing for enhanced intracellular uptake of therapeutic agents.  The poration of the cell membrane then allows targeted drug delivery, and if reduced dosages can be used it could reduce side effects from drug regimens, e.g. reduce chemotoxicity effects in cancer therapies.  The present investigation aims to simulate the micro-jetting observed from the insonation of a single microbubble experiencing inertial cavitation near a cell membrane, replicating the results observed in the experiment of Zhou et al. (2012). Comparisons of the microbubble dynamics to the high speed imaging of the experiment will be made.  Estimates of the membrane perforation from the surface pressure loading will be made.