Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
09:09
Visualizing Diffusional Dynamics of Gold Nanorods on Cell Membrane using Single Nanoparticle Darkfield Microscopy
Published on: March 5, 2021
4.9K
Dynamic single gold nanoparticle visualization by clinical intracoronary optical coherence tomography
Jie Hu1, Fernando Rivero2, Rio Aguilar Torres2
1Fluorescence Imaging Group, Departamento de Física de Materiales, Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Biophotonics
|June 9, 2016
Summary
Gold Nanoshells (GNSs) enhance Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging. This study shows GNSs can be visualized in 3D, paving the way for new intravascular diagnostic tools.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a key intravascular imaging modality.
- Gold Nanoparticles (GNPs) are being explored as contrast agents to improve OCT.
- Optimizing GNP properties for OCT requires understanding their optical interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Gold Nanoparticles (GNPs) as contrast agents for intracoronary OCT.
- To correlate GNP size, morphology, and optical properties with OCT contrast enhancement.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of visualizing individual GNPs using clinical OCT catheters.
Main Methods:
- Systematic investigation of GNP contrast enhancement in OCT.
- Correlation of GNP optical properties with OCT signal.
- Testing of clinical intracoronary OCT catheters for GNS visualization.
Main Results:
- Gold Nanoshells (GNSs) exhibited superior OCT contrast at the OCT operating wavelength (1.3 µm).
- GNSs showed the largest scattering cross-section near 1.3 µm, leading to enhanced OCT signals.
- Individual GNSs were successfully visualized in 3D with real-time tracking using clinical OCT catheters.
Conclusions:
- Gold Nanoshells are promising contrast agents for intracoronary OCT.
- This combination enables novel intravascular applications, including real-time obstruction and pressure gradient evaluation.
- Further development could enhance diagnostic capabilities in cardiovascular imaging.
