Photoacoustic Technique Research Articles

Remote Photoacoustic Sensing Using Single Speckle Analysis by an Ultra-Fast Four Quadrant Photo-Detector.

The need for tissue contact makes photoacoustic imaging not applicable for special medical applications like wound imaging, endoscopy, or laser surgery. An easy, stable, and contact-free sensing technique might thus help to broaden the applications of the medical imaging modality. In this work, it is demonstrated for the first time that remote photoacoustic sensing by speckle analysis can be performed in the MHz sampling range by tracking a single speckle using a four quadrant photo-detector. A single speckle, which is created by self-interference of surface back-reflection, is temporally analyzed using this photo-detector. Phantoms and skin samples are measured in transmission and reflection mode. The potential for miniaturization for endoscopic application is demonstrated by fiber bundle measurements. In addition, sensing parameters are discussed. Photoacoustic sensing in the MHz sampling range by single speckle analysis with the four quadrant detector is successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the endoscopic applicability is proven, and the sensing parameters are convenient for photoacoustic sensing. It can be concluded that a single speckle contains all the relevant information for remote photoacoustic signal detection. Single speckle sensing is therefore an easy, robust, contact-free photoacoustic detection technique and holds the potential for economical, ultra-fast photoacoustic sensing. The new detection technique might thus help to broaden the field of photoacoustic imaging applications in the future.

Comparison of Walking-Bleaching and Photon-Initiated Photoacoustic Streaming Techniques in Tooth Color Change of Artificially Colored Teeth.

Background and objective: The aim of this study is to compare the bleaching effect of photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) using carbamide peroxide or sodium perborate-20% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) compared with walking-bleaching techniques using sodium perborate-20% H2O2 or carbamide peroxide without PIPS on artificially colored teeth. Materials and methods: Root canal treatments of 85 extracted human maxillary central incisors were completed and artificially stained using sheep's blood. Teeth were randomly grouped into five groups according to the bleaching techniques to be tested: Group 1: walking bleaching with carbamide peroxide; Group 2: walking bleaching with sodium perborate-20% H2O2; Group 3: PIPS+carbamide peroxide; Group 4: PIPS+sodium perborate-20% H2O2; and Group 5: control. Experimental specimens were bleached for 3 weeks. Buccal surfaces of the crowns were used for spectrophotometric measurements, limited with a 7-mm external diameter rounded strip, before bleaching and on days 7, 14, and 21. The total change in color (ΔE*) were analyzed with Welch's ANOVA at a significance level of p = 0.05 and Tamhane post-hoc test was used for multiple comparisons. Results: Starting from the second week, Group 4 showed significantly better bleaching effect compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). The other experimental groups also have bleaching effects, but there was no statistically significant difference between Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sodium perborate-20% H2O2 activated with PIPS gave a bleaching effect superior to that of walking-bleaching techniques or PIPS using with carbamide peroxide.

Photoacoustic thermal characterization of low thermal diffusivity thin films

The photoacoustic measurement technique is a powerful yet underrepresented method to characterize the thermal transport properties of thin films. For the case of isotropic low thermal diffusivity samples, such as glasses or polymers, we demonstrate a general approach to extract the thermal conductivity with a high degree of significance. We discuss in particular the influence of thermal effusivity, thermal diffusivity, and sample layer thickness on the significance and accuracy of this measurement technique. These fundamental thermal properties guide sample and substrate selection to allow for a feasible thermal transport characterization. Furthermore, our data evaluation allows us to directly extract the thermal conductivity from this transient technique, without separate determination of the volumetric heat capacity, when appropriate boundary conditions are fulfilled. Using silica, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films, and various substrates (quartz, steel, and silicon), we verify the quantitative correctness of our analytical approach.

Optical measurement of gas vibrational-translational relaxation time with high accuracy by the laser photo-acoustic set-up

This study aimed to measure the vibrational-translational (V-T) relaxation time of gases using photo-acoustic technique with high accuracy. For this purpose, a cylindrical resonator and its acoustic filters were simulated and then fabricated. The results showed that minimum detectable concentration of Ozone and Sulfur hexafluoride by this set-up was measured 7 and 33 ppb, respectively. So, this optical set-up can be used as a highly sensitive sensor to detect gases. Then, the signal and the resonant frequency changes in the presence of some noble gases in different pressures, at 0.42 W laser were studied. Finally, the V-T relaxation time of these gases at different pressures (100–800 Torr) of buffer gases was measured in the order of milliseconds. The V-T relaxation time of Ozone and Sulfur hexafluoride at 100 Torr Helium buffer gas was obtained 3.7 and 3.1 ms, respectively. Also, for both ozone and sulfur hexafluoride in the presence of helium buffer gas, the lowest V-T relaxation time and photo-acoustic signal and the highest frequency were obtained.

Smear layer removal and sealer penetration with different tapers after using photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming technique

To evaluate the effect of the photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) technique on irrigation performance with different instrumentation tapers in root canals regarding smear layer removal and subsequent sealer penetration. One hundred twenty human mandibular molars were divided into three equal groups according to the apical preparation taper (25/4%, 25/6%, and 25/8%). Each group was divided into two equal subgroups, one received passive irrigation (PI) while the other received PIPS activation of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Half the samples were evaluated using electron microscope images to assess smear layer removal. The other half was obturated using gutta-percha and rhodamine B-labeled AH Plus sealer before being sectioned horizontally at different root levels (coronal, middle, and apical) to evaluate the percentage of sealer penetration using CLSM. Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests were used to analyze smear layer scores, while sealer penetration data were analyzed using the three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. Statistical analysis showed significantly better smear layer removal and better sealer penetration after PIPS activation when corresponding root thirds were compared (P<0.001). Only exception was sealer penetration in the apical third with root canal preparation of 25/4% where the difference between the irrigation methods was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The use of PIPS activation in the final irrigation protocol enhanced smear layer removal and sealer penetration into dentinal tubules if the taper of the prepared canal was at least 6%. Increasing apical preparation taper significantly enhances PIPS performance in terms of irrigation activation thus enhancing smear layer removal and subsequent sealer penetration in dentinal tubules.

Recent Trends in Photoacoustic Imaging Techniques for 2D Nanomaterial-Based Phototherapy.

A variety of 2D materials have been developed for therapeutic biomedical studies. Because of their excellent physicochemical properties, 2D materials can be used as carriers for delivering therapeutic agents into a lesion, leading to phototherapy. Various optical imaging techniques have been used for the monitoring of the treatment process. Among these, photoacoustic imaging has unique advantages including relatively deep imaging depth and large field of view with high spatial resolution. In this review article, we summarize the types of photoacoustic imaging systems used for phototherapy monitoring, then we explore contrast-enhanced photoacoustic images using 2D materials. Finally, photoacoustic image-guided phototherapies are discussed. We conclude that 2D material-based phototherapy can be efficiently monitored by photoacoustic imaging techniques.

Computational and infrared spectroscopic investigations of N-substituted carbazoles.

The carbazole moiety is a commonly identified structural motif in the high-molecular-weight components of petroleum, known as asphaltenes. Detailed characterization of carbazoles is important for understanding the structure of asphaltenes and addressing challenges in the areas of heavy oil recovery, transportation, upgrading, and oil spills, arising from asphaltene properties and composition. In this work we study carbazole and the four N-substituted carbazoles 9-methylcarbazole, 9-ethylcarbazole, 9-vinylcarbazole and 9-phenylcarbazole. Experimental far- and mid-infrared spectra of these five carbazoles are measured using transmission and photoacoustic techniques. The molecular structures of the monomers and the respective dimers, optimized at the ωB97X-D/6-311++G(d,p) level of the density functional theory (DFT), are subjected to harmonic vibrational frequency calculations. The effect of changing substituents on the N-H bond, π-π stacking distances, and angles between monomers within the dimers, in addition to intermolecular interactions, is investigated. Noncovalent interaction analysis is employed to highlight the areas of attractive and repulsive interactions in the dimers. Thermochemistry calculations show that the formation of dimers of all carbazoles is spontaneous at 298 K. Comparison of the calculated vibrational spectra of these compounds with experimental spectra indicates that the existence of both monomers and dimers must be invoked to account for the observed bands in the infrared spectra. Excellent correlations between the experimentally-determined and calculated harmonic vibrational energies are obtained, with an experimental-to-calculated scaling factor of 0.95-0.96. These findings highlight the coupled computational-experimental approach for the interpretation of vibrational spectra and are essential for improving the spectroscopic characterization of N-substituted carbazoles.

Photoacoustic Imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging imaging modality that shows great potential for preclinical research and clinical practice. As a hybrid technique, PAI uniquely combines the advantages of optical excitation and of acoustic detection. Optical excitation provides a rich contrast mechanism from either endogenous or exogenous chromophores, allowing PAI to perform biochemical, functional, and molecular imaging. Acoustic detection benefits from the low scattering of ultrasound in biological tissue, enabling PAI to generate high-resolution images in both the optical ballistic and diffusive regimes. Accordingly, this hybrid imaging modality features high sensitivity to optical absorption and wide scalability of spatial resolution with the desired imaging depth. Over the past two decades, the photoacoustic technique has led to a variety of exciting discoveries and applications from laboratory research to clinical patient care. In biological research, PAI has become an irreplaceable tool, providing functional optical contrast with high spatiotemporal resolution. Translational PAI also attracted growing interest in clinical applications including tumor margin examination, internal organ imaging, breast cancer screening, and sentinel lymph node mapping, among others.

Nonlinear photoacoustic imaging dedicated to thermal-nonlinearity characterization

We proposed a nonlinear photoacoustic (PA) technique as a new imaging contrast mechanism for tissue thermal-nonlinearity characterization. When a sine-modulated Gaussian temperature field is introduced by a laser beam, in view of the temperature dependence of the thermal diffusivity, the nonlinear PA effect occurs, which leads to the production of second-harmonic PA (SHPA) signals. By extracting the fundamental frequency PA and SHPA signal amplitudes of samples through the lock-in technique, a parameter that only reflects nonlinear thermal-diffusivity characteristics of the sample then can be obtained. The feasibility of the technique for thermal-nonlinearity characterization has been studied on phantom samples. In vitro biological tissues have been studied by this method to demonstrate its medical imaging capability, prefiguring great potential of this new method in medical imaging applications.

Application of multispectral photoacoustic technique for contrast agent imaging and its prospects

Application of multispectral photoacoustic technique for contrast agent imaging and its prospects

Effect of the suspension of Ag-incorporated TiO2 nanoparticles (Ag-TiO2 NPs) on certain growth, physiology and phytotoxicity parameters in spinach seedlings.

In this work, the effect of the inoculation of silver-incorporated titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag-TiO2 NPs) in spinach seeds was evaluated on certain growth, physiology and phytotoxicity parameters of the plants. This is an important crop for human consumption with high nutritional value due to their low calorie and fat content, providing various vitamins and minerals, especially iron. These NPs were obtained by means of the sol-gel method and heat treatment; the resulting powder material was characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and the influence of these NPs on plants was measured by estimating the germination rate, monitoring morphological parameters and evaluating phytotoxicity. The photosynthetic activity of the spinach plants was estimated through the quantification of the Ratio of Oxygen Evolution (ROE) by the photoacoustic technique. Samples of TiO2 powder with particle size between 9 and 43 nm were used to quantify the germination rate, which served to determine a narrower size range between 7 and 26 nm in the experiments with Ag-TiO2 NPs; the presence of Ag in TiO2 powder samples was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The analysis of variance showed that the dependent variable (plant growth) could be affected by the evaluated factors (concentration and size) with significant differences. The statistical trend indicated that the application of the Ag-TiO2 NPs suspension of lowest concentration and smallest particle size could be a promoting agent of the growth and development of these plants. The inoculation with NPs of 8.3 nm size and lowest concentration was related to the highest average ROE value, 24.6 ± 0.2%, while the control group was 20.2 ± 0.2%. The positive effect of the Ag-TiO2 NPs treatment could be associated to the generation of reactive oxygen species, antimicrobial activity, increased biochemical attributes, enzymatic activity or improvements in water absorption.

Ultrasound-Guided Detection and Segmentation of Photoacoustic Signals from Bone Tissue In Vivo

Photoacoustic (PA) techniques provide optical absorption contrast and spatial information at an ultrasound resolution in deep biological tissues. Among the greatest challenges encountered in the PA examination of bone is the analysis of trabecular bone, which holds key chemical and physical information required for bone health assessments. Ultrasound detection is naturally registered with PA detection; therefore, in this study, we propose ultrasound guidance for the PA detection of trabecular bone. We perform both numerical simulations and an in vivo experiment on a human subject to investigate the possibility of ultrasound-guided detection and segmentation of photoacoustic signals from bone tissue in vivo in a non-invasive manner. The results obtained from the simulation and in vivo experiment suggest that the ultrasound-guided PA method can distinguish PA signals from trabecular and cortical bones as well as from the overlying soft tissue. Considering that the PA technique is non-ionizing and non-invasive, it holds potential for clinical bone health assessment.

Bone Chemical Composition Analysis Using Photoacoustic Technique

Photoacoustic (PA) signal analysis based on ultrasonic wave detection can provide both high-sensitivity optical contrast information and micro-architectural information which is highly related with the chemical composition of tissue. In this study, the feasibility assessment of bone composition assessment was investigated using the multi-wavelength PA analysis (MWPA) method which could reflect the molecular information. By illuminating a bone specimen using a laser light with wavelength over an optical spectrum ranging from 680 to 950 nm, the optical absorption spectrum of the bone was acquired. Then, with the optical absorption spectra of all optical absorption chemical components in the known bone, a spectral unmixing procedure was performed to quantitatively assess the relative content of each chemical component. The experimental results from rabbit bones show that MWPA method can be used to assess chemical components related to bone metabolism. Our study confirmed that PA technique can be used as a novel bone diagnostic technique by providing new information about the quantity of bone and identifying biomarkers of bone that can improve the current diagnostic imaging techniques.

A note on the history of photoacoustic, thermal lensing, and photothermal deflection techniques

We review the history of photoacoustic, thermal lensing, and photothermal deflection techniques from early experiments to the current time. The paper also describes the main fields of application in chronological order, showing the primary advantages and listing initial technological developments.

Characterization of light-absorbing aerosols from a laboratory combustion source with two different photoacoustic techniques

In this study, we characterized a variety of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols generated from a controlled combustion system using two different photoacoustic measurement techniques: the RGB-DP...

Optical and Photoacoustic Properties of Laser-Ablated Silver Nanoparticles in a Carbon Dots Solution.

This study used the carbon dots solution for the laser ablation technique to fabricate silver nanoparticles. The ablation time range was from 5 min to 20 min. Analytical methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used to categorize the prepared samples. The UV-visible and z-scan techniques provided optical parameters such as linear and nonlinear refractive indices in the range of 1.56759 to 1.81288 and 7.3769 × 10−10 cm2 W−1 to 9.5269 × 10−10 cm2 W−1 and the nonlinear susceptibility was measured in the range of 5.46 × 10−8 to 6.97 × 10−8 esu. The thermal effusivity of prepared samples, which were measured using the photoacoustic technique, were in the range of 0.0941 W s1/2 cm−2 K−1 to 0.8491 W s1/2 cm−2 K−1. The interaction of the prepared sample with fluoride was investigated using a Raman spectrometer. Consequently, the intensity of the Raman signal decreased with the increasing concentration of fluoride, and the detection limit is about 0.1 ppm.

Progress in biomedical photoacoustic imaging instrumentation toward clinical application

Photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging is able to generate highly resolved images of structures with optical absorption contrast in biological tissues. This is made possible by excitation of ultrasound through the absorption of pulsed or rapidly modulated optical radiation. Since the resolution is mainly determined by the ultrasound waves, which are detected at multiple locations outside the tissue, absorbing structures such as blood vessels can be resolved at a depth of several centimeters with sub-millimeter resolution. Furthermore, spectroscopic measurements allow the extraction of functional parameters including blood oxygenation. These favorable properties have generated a lot of hope for improved diagnostics of diseases that involve changes in vasculature, such as breast tumors. After more than two decades of instrumentation development and encouraging clinical trials, photoacoustic imaging techniques are about to enter clinical practice. In this Perspective, we give an overview of recent achievements in the fields of photoacoustic tomography, microscopy, and endoscopy and try to anticipate further developments that will take advantage of the unique properties of this technology on its way to a variety of clinical applications.

Simultaneous Measurements of Photoabsorption and Photoelectrochemical Performance for Thickness Optimization of a Semiconductor Photoelectrode.

We established a system for simultaneous measurements of photoelectrochemical (PEC) reaction and photoabsorption in a semiconductor photoelectrode. This system uses a photoacoustic technique and photoelectrodes with a film-thickness gradient that was prepared by electrophoretic deposition of tungsten(VI) oxide particles while pulling up a substrate. The system enabled high-throughput determination of optimum film thickness, and the results showed that irradiation direction has a significant influence on PEC performance for a photoelectrode with a thick film. Furthermore, the mechanism of enhancement of PEC performance by postnecking treatment was discussed.

Photoacoustic endoscopy: A progress review.

Endoscopy has been widely used in biomedical imaging and integrated with various optical and acoustic imaging modalities. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), one of the fastest growing biomedical imaging modalities, is a noninvasive and nonionizing method that owns rich optical contrast, deep acoustic penetration depth, multiscale and multiparametric imaging capability. Hence, it is preferred to miniaturize the volume of PAI and develop an emerged endoscopic imaging modality referred to as photoacoustic endoscopy (PAE). It has been developed for more than one decade since the first report of PAE. Unfortunately, until now, there is no mature photoacoustic endoscopic technique recognized in clinic due to various technical limitations. To address this concern, recent development of new scanning mechanisms, adoption of novel optical/acoustic devices, utilization of superior computation methods and exploration of multimodality strategies have significantly promoted the progress of PAE toward clinic. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed recent progresses in single- and multimodality PAE with new physics, mechanisms and strategies to achieve practical devices for potential applicable scenarios including esophageal, gastrointestinal, urogenital and intravascular imaging. We ended this review with challenges and prospects for future development of PAE.

Optical and Thermophysical Characterization of Fe3O4 nanoparticle

The size dependence of optical and, thermophysical properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticle (NPs) has been investigated. Three samples of Fe3O4 NPs with different sizes were prepared by the Co-precipitation method and labeled a, b and c. The UV- vis spectra shifted toward the lower energy with increasing the particles size. The energy bandgaps of the synthesized Fe3O4 NPs are 1.84 ev,1,73 ev, and 1,47 ev for a, b and c respectively. The sizes of the nanoparticles were estimated using the effective mass approximation (EMA) model, and are 10.7 nm, 20.56 nm, and 30.43 nm. These values are comparable to those found by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Photoacoustic (PA) technique was used to research Fe3O4 NPs for thermal diffusivity (α), thermal effusivity (e), and thermal conductivity (k). The determined values of α, e, and k increase as the size of nanoparticles rises and decreases from the bulk by about 33%.