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Review: optically-triggered phase-transition droplets for photoacoustic imaging

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Abstract

Optically-triggered phase-transition droplets have been introduced as a promising contrast agent for photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging that not only provide significantly enhanced contrast but also have potential as photoacoustic theranostic molecular probes incorporated with targeting molecules and therapeutics. For further understanding the dynamics of optical droplet vaporization process, an innovative, methodical analysis by concurrent acoustical and ultrafast optical recordings, comparing with a theoretical model has been employed. In addition, the repeatability of the droplet vaporization-recondensation process, which enables continuous photoacoustic imaging has been studied through the same approach. Further understanding the underlying physics of the optical droplet vaporization and associated dynamics may guide the optimal design of the droplets. Some innovative approaches in preclinical studies have been recently demonstrated, including sono-photoacoustic imaging, dual-modality of photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging, and super-resolution photoacoustic imaging. In this review, current development of optically triggered phase-transition droplets and understanding on the vaporization dynamics, their applications are introduced and future directions are discussed.

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Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

Author Qiyang Chen declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Jaesok Yu declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Kang Kim declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Author notes

  1. Qiyang Chen and Jaesok Yu have contributed equally to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Heart and Vascular Institute, Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Qiyang Chen, Jaesok Yu & Kang Kim

  2. Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Qiyang Chen, Jaesok Yu & Kang Kim

  3. McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA

    Kang Kim

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Kang Kim

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  1. Qiyang Chen
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  2. Jaesok Yu
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  3. Kang Kim
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Correspondence to Kang Kim.

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Chen, Q., Yu, J. & Kim, K. Review: optically-triggered phase-transition droplets for photoacoustic imaging. Biomed. Eng. Lett. 8, 223–229 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-018-0069-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-018-0069-0

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