Abstract
The utility of ultrasound imaging and therapy with microbubbles may be greatly enhanced by determining their impulse-response dynamics as a function of size and composition. Prior methods for microbubble characterization utilizing high-speed cameras, acoustic transducers and laser-based techniques typically scan a limited frequency range. Here, we report on the use of a novel photoacoustic technique to measure the impulse response of single microbubbles. Individual microbubbles are driven with a broadband photoacoustic wave generated by a nanosecond-pulse laser illuminating an optical absorber. The resulting microbubble oscillations were detected by following transmission of a second laser as it passes twice through the microbubble. The system could even resolve oscillations resulting from a single-shot. As a proof-of-concept study, the size-dependent, linear impulse response of lipid-coated microbubbles was characterized using this technique. This unique method of microbubble characterization with exceptional spatiotemporal resolution opens new avenues for capturing and analyzing microbubble system dynamics.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 9326331 |
Pages (from-to) | 2311-2314 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control |
Volume | 68 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Keywords
- Laser-ultrasonics
- nondestructive testing
- photoacoustics
- ultrasound contrast agents