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Three-dimensional Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy
Published on: May 3, 2011
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Engineering optically triggered droplets for photoacoustic imaging and therapy
Jacob D Dove1, Paul A Mountford1, Todd W Murray2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 427 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
Biomedical Optics Express
|January 10, 2015
Summary
The core material of perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets significantly impacts laser vaporization thresholds. Lower boiling point PFCs require less optical energy for vaporization, enabling applications in photoacoustic imaging and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical optics
- Materials science
- Acoustic imaging
Background:
- Pulsed laser-induced photothermal heating enables vaporization of liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets.
- Optical absorbers within PFC droplets facilitate this photothermal process.
- Understanding factors influencing vaporization is crucial for targeted applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of perfluorocarbon core material on the optical fluence threshold for droplet vaporization.
- To explore the influence of droplet size and core material properties on vaporization dynamics.
- To propose a mechanism for observed variations in vaporization thresholds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of gold nanoparticle-templated microbubbles.
- Encapsulation of various perfluorocarbon gases (C3F8, C4F10, C5F12).
- Condensation of gases into droplets via applied pressure.
- Photothermal heating using a pulsed laser source to induce vaporization.
Main Results:
- Droplet core material strongly influences the threshold optical fluence for vaporization.
- Lower boiling point perfluorocarbons exhibit lower vaporization thresholds.
- Droplet size and core material properties affect vaporization dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Engineering the perfluorocarbon core material allows for controlled optical vaporization thresholds.
- This control has potential applications in contrast-enhanced photoacoustic imaging.
- Further applications in targeted photothermal therapy are proposed.
