Temperature dependent photoacoustic imaging

摘要

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems relating to temperature dependent photoacoustic imaging are provided. In such methods and systems, a tissue sample may be exposed to thermal energy and electromagnetic radiation to generate an acoustic signal, which may be detected. The amplitude of the acoustic signal may be determined and correlated with a tissue property, such as the presence or absence of macrophages or foam cells.

主权项

1. A method of detecting a macrophage or foam cell in a tissue sample comprising:
providing a contrast agent to a tissue sample, wherein the contrast agent comprises a metallic nanoparticles; exposing at least a portion of the tissue sample to a first level of thermal energy and to electromagnetic radiation and so as to generate a first acoustic signal; detecting the first acoustic signal; determining an amplitude of the first acoustic signal; exposing at least a portion of the tissue sample to a second level of thermal energy and to electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a second acoustic signal; detecting the second acoustic signal; determining the amplitude of the second acoustic signal; and correlating the amplitude of the first acoustic signal and the amplitude of the second acoustic signal with the presence or absence of a macrophage or foam cell in the tissue sample, wherein the acoustic signal amplitude change relative to level of thermal energy indicates the presence or absence of a macrophage or foam cell in the tissue sample.