Employing Microbubbles and High-Frequency Time-Resolved Scanning Acoustic Microscopy for Molecular Imaging

摘要

Acoustic microscopy offers unique advantages in the investigation of the mechanical properties of biological materials. Ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles) provide unique acoustic scattering signatures for novel imaging and, in combination with ligands, facilitate molecular imaging capabilities. The potential role and application of microbubble contrast agents at ultra-high frequencies (> 100 MHz) remains an open question. We examine microbubble contrast agents at 200 MHz, 400 MHz and 1.0 GHz in the vicinity of endothelial cells. Visualization of individual microbubbles is demonstrated at 1.0 GHz.