Interaction mechanics of acoustic cavitation with fibrin networks
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arXiv
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866913168755785728 |
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| author | Bhargava, Aarushi Gardi, Gaurav Sitti, Metin |
| author_facet | Bhargava, Aarushi Gardi, Gaurav Sitti, Metin |
| contents | Stiff and dense fibrin networks in chronic blood clots impede drug penetration and distribution into the clot core, limiting the efficacy of thrombolytic therapies. Acoustic cavitation of microbubbles is a promising strategy to enhance drug delivery in soft tissues. However, the interaction of these bubbles with stiff fibrin networks has yet to be investigated. Here, we show that ultrasound-driven bubbles undergoing stable periodic oscillations can penetrate and alter dense fibrin networks. The penetrated bubbles create three-dimensional paths that enable nanobeads (matrix transport markers) to infiltrate up to 200 $μ$m m deep into the mesh. Radial bubble oscillation is found to be the dominant forcing mechanism on fibrin fibers. Combining mechanical measurements with these observations reveals that the bubble radial stress is insufficient to break the fibrin fibers in a single cycle. Instead, repeated sub-fracture loading from bubble oscillations induce plastic deformation and damage accumulation with each cycle. This is evident from drastic dissipation losses and softening of the network seen over thousands of cycles. We further explored the softening of fibrin networks at a range of peak applied forces. At low force, the fibrin networks undergo a shakedown effect with initial softening, which is resistant to further damage after hundreds of cycles. At higher force, networks continue to soften without reaching a stable state, indicating progressive damage accumulation. These results show that cavitation can enhance matrix transport in dense fiber networks. The underlying physics is governed by the viscoplastic mechanics of bubble-fibrin interactions. These findings establish a mechanistic framework to design comprehensive treatment strategies for fibrotic aged clots. |
| format | Preprint |
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arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_29020 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Interaction mechanics of acoustic cavitation with fibrin networks Bhargava, Aarushi Gardi, Gaurav Sitti, Metin Soft Condensed Matter Applied Physics Stiff and dense fibrin networks in chronic blood clots impede drug penetration and distribution into the clot core, limiting the efficacy of thrombolytic therapies. Acoustic cavitation of microbubbles is a promising strategy to enhance drug delivery in soft tissues. However, the interaction of these bubbles with stiff fibrin networks has yet to be investigated. Here, we show that ultrasound-driven bubbles undergoing stable periodic oscillations can penetrate and alter dense fibrin networks. The penetrated bubbles create three-dimensional paths that enable nanobeads (matrix transport markers) to infiltrate up to 200 $μ$m m deep into the mesh. Radial bubble oscillation is found to be the dominant forcing mechanism on fibrin fibers. Combining mechanical measurements with these observations reveals that the bubble radial stress is insufficient to break the fibrin fibers in a single cycle. Instead, repeated sub-fracture loading from bubble oscillations induce plastic deformation and damage accumulation with each cycle. This is evident from drastic dissipation losses and softening of the network seen over thousands of cycles. We further explored the softening of fibrin networks at a range of peak applied forces. At low force, the fibrin networks undergo a shakedown effect with initial softening, which is resistant to further damage after hundreds of cycles. At higher force, networks continue to soften without reaching a stable state, indicating progressive damage accumulation. These results show that cavitation can enhance matrix transport in dense fiber networks. The underlying physics is governed by the viscoplastic mechanics of bubble-fibrin interactions. These findings establish a mechanistic framework to design comprehensive treatment strategies for fibrotic aged clots. |
| title | Interaction mechanics of acoustic cavitation with fibrin networks |
| topic | Soft Condensed Matter Applied Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.29020 |