Multiplexed Ultrasound Imaging Using Spectral Analysis on Gas Vesicles

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Ultrasound imaging advances with novel contrast agents like gas vesicles (GVs) offer precise visualization of biological tissues.
• Fluorescent proteins in optics allow for understanding molecular and cellular functions through multiplexed imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a panel of GVs using mid-band fit (MBF) spectral imaging for multiplexed ultrasound imaging.
• To uniquely visualize and distinguish the locations of different types of stationary GVs.
• To enable spatial localization of cells carrying GVs using distinct spectral signals.

Main Methods:

• Utilized mid-band fit (MBF) spectral imaging to analyze gas vesicles (GVs).
• Applied MBF spectral imaging to distinguish clustered from unclustered GVs in phantom and ex vivo liver samples.
• Reconstructed 2D MBF spectral images and classified pixels based on MBF values for cell localization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated efficient localization and differentiation of stationary clustered GVs from unclustered GVs.
• Successfully visualized 3D vessel structures in ex vivo mouse liver specimens.
• Achieved clear distinction of spatial locations for cells carrying clustered and unclustered GVs via pseudo-coloring.

Conclusions:

• MBF spectral imaging enables multiplexed ultrasound visualization of distinct gas vesicle types.
• This technique allows for precise spatial mapping of cells labeled with different GVs.
• The developed method offers a novel approach for advanced cellular imaging and diagnostics.