The University of Texas System

Other

Stanislav Emelianov

Bo Wang

Kimberly A Homan

Wolfgang Frey

Jimmy Su

Andrei Karpiouk

Yun-Sheng Chen

Armen P Sarvazyan

Jignesh M Shah

Konstantin Sokolov

Richard Bouchard

Katheryne Wilson

A design and a fabrication method for an intravascular imaging and therapeutic catheters for combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and for optical and/or acoustic therapy of hollow organs and diseased blood vessels and tissues are disclosed in the present invention. The invention comprises both a device&#x2014;optical fiber-based intravascular catheter designs for combined IVUS/IVPA, and elasticity imaging and for acoustic and/or optical therapy&#x2014;and a method of combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and optical and/or acoustic therapy. The designs of the catheters are based on single-element catheter-based ultrasound transducers or on ultrasound array-based units coupled with optical fiber, fiber bundles or a combination thereof with specially designed light delivery systems. One approach uses the side fire fiber, similar to the one utilized for biomedical optical spectroscopy. The second catheter design uses the micro-optics in the manner of a probe for optical coherent tomography.

Catheter for intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems relating to temperature dependent photoacoustic imaging are provided. In such methods and systems, a tissue sample may be exposed to thermal energy and electromagnetic radiation to generate an acoustic signal, which may be detected. The amplitude of the acoustic signal may be determined and correlated with a tissue property, such as the presence or absence of macrophages or foam cells.

Temperature dependent photoacoustic imaging

Methods of combined ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging are provided. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to determine the location or positioning of a metal object in a sample. In other embodiments, the methods may be used to determine the composition of a sample surrounding a metal object. Other methods are also provided.

Combined ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging of metal objects

Nanocarriers and methods of preparation and use of nanocarriers are presented. In some embodiments, a nanocarrier composition comprises an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein; and a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid. Biological tissue may be imaged or treated by coming into contact with a nanocarrier composition, and, at least in some embodiments, irradiated.

Nanocarriers for imaging and therapy applications

A time-reversal acoustics system includes a wireless beacon with a piezoelectric element adapted to receive an initial acoustic signal from each of a plurality of transducers combined in a single transmitter and controlled individually by an electronic unit. The initial acoustic signal is transformed by the piezoelectric element into an electromagnetic wave feedback signal and transmitted wirelessly to the receiver connected to the input of the electronic unit. The electronic unit receives the feedback signal and transforms it using the time-reversal principles to generate a driving signal for each transducer. All such driving signals are then sent simultaneously to all transducers to deliver high intensity acoustic energy to the beacon. The invention can be used advantageously to non-invasively recharge implant batteries, control drug eluting from an implant, in an image-guided drug-delivery apparatus, etc.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Stanislav Emelianov