Nanotechnology-Driven Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Theranostics for Real-Time Imaging and Therapeutics

Theranostic technologies that incorporate nanotechnology into ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) show great promise for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. Despite recent advancements in nanomaterials, US/PA systems, which use both endogenous and exogenous contrast agents, are now more sensitive and effective in therapy. Intrinsic optical absorption-based label-free imaging is made possible by endogenous agents such as collagen, lipids, haemoglobin, and melanin. Exogenous contrast agents, on the other hand, are engineered to circumvent drawbacks such as low tissue selectivity and weak signal intensity. Advanced multimodal theranostic applications are made possible by these designed nanomaterials, which improve optical absorption, acoustic responsiveness, and targeted imaging. The benefits of optical high sensitivity and acoustic deep penetration are brought together in PAI, an integrated biomedical imaging modality. It may produce structural and functional pictures with enough contrast and resolution, providing a wealth of pathology data for disease-oriented diagnostics. Consequently, it has become an effective tool of precision nanomedicine and has discovered numerous uses so far. PAI is a hybrid imaging method that uses both optical and acoustic imaging to produce detailed pictures with a wealth of information about multiple parameters. This review explains the underlying principle of US/PAI bimodal imaging techniques, including their technical benefits, contrast agents, and biomedical applications. Additionally, we go over the difficulties and potential applications of US/PAI bimodal imaging in clinical settings.