Multimodal ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular inflammatory response: from whole-organ to molecular-scale

摘要

Three novel noninvasive ultrasound imaging techniques for an early detection and monitoring of vascular lesions are introduced. Ultrasound elasticity imaging (UEI) based on 2D speckle-tracking estimates high resolution arterial intramural strain to detect subtle local changes in arterial mechanical properties. Ultrasound-induced thermal strain imaging (TSI) has also been developed to noninvasively identify rupture-prone plaque consisting of a large lipid-rich core. Finally, for early detection and monitoring of inflammation and atherosclerosis, photoacoustic molecular imaging (PMI) using bioconjugated gold nanorods as contrast agents has been devised. These three imaging techniques can be integrated into a commercial ultrasound scanner.