1. Spatially Selective Acoustic Pressure Reporting Using Antibubbles
- Author
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Gomez, Nicolas Moreno, Athanassiadis, Athanasios G., Reuter, Fabian, Reese, Hendrik, Jade, Helen M., Poortinga, Albert, Ohl, Claus-Dieter, and Fischer, Peer
- Subjects
Condensed Matter - Soft Condensed Matter ,Condensed Matter - Materials Science ,Physics - Biological Physics - Abstract
Ultrasound offers promising applications in biology and chemistry, but quantifying local ultrasound conditions remains challenging due to the lack of non-invasive measurement tools. We introduce antibubbles as novel optical reporters of local ultrasound pressure. These liquid-core, air-shell structures encapsulate fluorescent payloads, releasing them upon exposure to low-intensity ultrasound. We demonstrate their versatility by fabricating antibubbles with hydrophilic and hydrophobic payloads, revealing payload-dependent encapsulation efficiency and release dynamics. Using acoustic holograms, we showcase precise spatial control of payload release, enabling visualization of complex ultrasound fields. High-speed fluorescence imaging reveals a gentle, single-shot release mechanism occurring within 20-50 ultrasound cycles. It is thus possible to determine via an optical fluorescence marker what the applied ultrasound pressure was. This work thereby introduces a non-invasive method for mapping ultrasound fields in complex environments, potentially accelerating research in ultrasound-based therapies and processes. The long-term stability and versatility of these antibubble reporters suggest broad applicability in studying and optimizing ultrasound effects across various biological and chemical systems.
- Published
- 2024