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Breaking the acoustic diffraction limit via nonlinear effect and thermal confinement for potential deep-tissue
Baohong Yuan1, Yanbo Pei, Jayanth Kandukuri
1Ultrasound and Optical Imaging Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA and Joint Biomedical Engineering Program, The University of Texas at Arlington and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA.
We improved ultrasound-switchable fluorescence (USF) imaging by minimizing the ultrasound-induced temperature focal size (UTFS). This enhancement allows for potentially deeper, high-resolution fluorescence imaging in turbid tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Acoustic Imaging
- Fluorescence Microscopy
Background:
- High-resolution fluorescence imaging in deep, turbid tissues remains challenging.
- Ultrasound-switchable fluorescence (USF) imaging offers a potential solution for deep-tissue visualization.
- Spatial resolution in USF is critically dependent on the ultrasound-induced temperature focal size (UTFS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for minimizing the UTFS in USF imaging.
- To enhance the spatial resolution of USF for improved deep-tissue imaging capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nonlinear acoustic effects and thermal confinement strategies.
- Controlled ultrasound power and exposure time to manipulate UTFS.
- Evaluated UTFS reduction below diffraction-limited acoustic focal size.
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced UTFS below the diffraction-limited acoustic intensity focal size.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of achieving sub-diffraction-limited focal spots through controlled nonlinear acoustic and thermal effects.
- Established a method for optimizing USF imaging parameters.
Conclusions:
- Minimizing UTFS via nonlinear acoustics and thermal confinement is crucial for high-resolution USF imaging.
- The developed technique shows promise for advancing deep-tissue high-resolution imaging applications.
- Optimized USF parameters can overcome current resolution limitations in turbid media.
