Photoacoustic (PA) emitters are emerging ultrasound sources offering high spatial resolution and ease of miniaturization. Thus far, PA emitters rely on electronic transitions of absorbers embedded in an expansion matrix such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Here, it is shown that mid-infrared vibrational excitation of C─H bonds in a transparent PDMS film can lead to efficient mid-infrared photoacoustic conversion (MIPA). MIPA shows 37.5 times more efficient than the commonly used PA emitters based on carbon nanotubes embedded in PDMS. Successful neural stimulation through MIPA both in a wide field with a size up to a 100 µm radius and in single-cell precision is achieved. Owing to the low heat conductivity of PDMS, less than a 0.5 °C temperature increase is found on the surface of a PDMS film during successful neural stimulation, suggesting a non-thermal mechanism. MIPA emitters allow repetitive wide-field neural stimulation, opening up opportunities for high-throughput screening of mechano-sensitive ion channels and regulators.

Neuromodulation is a powerful tool for fundamental studies in neuroscience and potential treatments of neurological disorders. Both photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal (PT) effects are harnessed for non-genetic high-precision neural stimulation. Using a fiber-based device excitable by a nanosecond pulsed laser and a continuous wave laser for PA and PT stimulation, respectively, PA and PT neuromodulation is systematically investigated at the single neuron level. These results show that to achieve the same level of neuron activation recorded by Ca2+ imaging, the laser energy needed for PA stimulation is 1/40 of that needed for PT stimulation. The threshold energy for PA stimulation is found to be further reduced in neurons overexpressing mechano-sensitive channels, indicating direct involvement of mechano-sensitive channels in PA stimulation. Electrophysiology study of single neurons upon PA and PT stimulation is performed by patch clamp recordings. Electrophysiological features induced by PA are distinct from those by PT, confirming that PA and PT stimulation operate through different mechanisms. These insights offer a foundation for the rational design of more efficient and safer non-genetic neural modulation approaches.

The accuracy and efficacy of laser ablation procedures depend on the accurate placement of the laser applicator within the diseased tissue, monitoring the real-time temperature during the ablation procedure, and mapping the extent of the ablated region. Ultrasound (US) imaging has been widely used to guide ablation procedures. While US imaging offers significant advantages for guiding ablation procedures, its limitations include low imaging contrast, angular dependency, and limited ability to monitor the temperature. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a relatively new imaging modality that inherits the advantages of US imaging and offers enhanced capabilities for laser-guided ablations, such as accurate, angle-independent tracking of ablation catheters, the potential for quantitative thermometry, and monitoring thermal lesion formation. This work provides an overview of ultrasound-guided procedures and how different US-related artifacts limit their utility, followed by introducing PA as complementary to US as a solution to address the existing limitations and improve ablation outcomes. Furthermore, we highlight the integration of PA-driven features into existing US-guided laser ablation systems, along with their limitations and future outlooks. Integrated US/PA-guided laser ablation procedures can lead to safer and more precise treatment outcomes.

Microscopic defects in flip chips, originating from manufacturing, significantly affect performance and longevity. Post-fabrication sampling methods ensure product functionality but lack in-line defect monitoring to enhance chip yield and lifespan in real-time. This study introduces a photoacoustic remote sensing (PARS) system for in-line imaging and defect recognition during flip-chip fabrication. We first propose a real-time PARS imaging method based on continuous acquisition combined with parallel processing image reconstruction to achieve real-time imaging during the scanning of flip-chip samples, reducing reconstruction time from an average of approximately 1134 ms to 38 ms. Subsequently, we propose improved YOLOv7 with space-to-depth block (IYOLOv7-SPD), an enhanced deep learning defect recognition method, for accurate in-line recognition and localization of microscopic defects during the PARS real-time imaging process. The experimental results validate the viability of the proposed system for enhancing the lifespan and yield of flip-chip products in chip manufacturing facilities.

Skin architecture and its underlying vascular structure could be used to assess the health status of skin. A non-invasive, high resolution and deep imaging modality able to visualize skin subcutaneous layers and vasculature structures could be useful for determining and characterizing skin disease and trauma. In this study, a multispectral high-frequency, linear array-based photoacoustic/ultrasound (PAUS) probe is developed and implemented for the imaging of rat skin in vivo. The study seeks to demonstrate the probe capabilities for visualizing the skin and its underlying structures, and for monitoring changes in skin structure and composition during a 5-day course of a chemical burn. We analayze composition of lipids, water, oxy-hemoglobin, and deoxy-hemoglobin (for determination of oxygen saturation) in the skin tissue. The study successfully demonstrated the high-frequency PAUS imaging probe was able to provide 3D images of the rat skin architecture, underlying vasculature structures, and oxygen saturation, water, lipids and total hemoglobin.

In the realm of healthcare and the advancing field of medical sciences, the development of efficient drug delivery systems become an immense promise to cure several diseases. Despite considerable advancements in drug delivery systems, numerous challenges persist, necessitating further enhancements to optimize patient outcomes. Smart nano-carriers, for instance, 2D sheets nano-carriers are the recently emerging nanosheets that may garner attention for targeted delivery of bioactive compounds, drugs, and genes to kill cancer cells. Within these advancements, Ti3C2TX-MXene, characterized as a two-dimensional transition metal carbide, has surfaced as a prominent intelligent nanocarrier within nanomedicine. Its noteworthy characteristics facilitated it as an ideal nanocarrier for cancer therapy. In recent advancements in drug delivery research, Ti3C2TX-MXene 2D nanocarriers have been designed to release drugs in response to specific stimuli, guided by distinct physicochemical  parameters. This review emphasized the multifaceted role of Ti3C2TX-MXene as a potential carrier for delivering poorly hydrophilic drugs to cancer cells, facilitated by various polymer coatings. Furthermore, beyond drug delivery, this smart nanocarrier demonstrates utility in photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy, further highlighting its significant role in cellular mechanisms.

Laser ultrasonics is a noncontact measurement method that uses a laser-induced elastic wave source in combination with an optical surface displacement-tracking system. This study compared the performances of two optical interferometers with different characteristics when applied to measurement of pulsed thermoelastic waves. The surface displacement-tracking system was designed to measure the center of the microscopic view. A pulsed laser beam irradiated a black ink layer to generate the thermoelastic waves. The out-of-plane displacement on the axially opposite side was then measured using either a Michelson interferometer or a Sagnac interferometer. The objective lens of the system was of a type commonly used in biological observations. The Michelson interferometer estimated a maximum displacement of 0.43 nm and a maximum sound pressure of 24.7 kPa. The signal-to-noise ratios from 16 averages were 14.9 dB (Michelson interferometer) and 19.2 dB (Sagnac interferometer). Furthermore, this paper compares the performance of the numerically estimated Sagnac interferometer outputs calculated from the measured Michelson interferometer outputs with the experimentally obtained Sagnac interferometer outputs. The numerically estimated Sagnac interferometer\'s output was shown to be identical to the experimentally acquired output. The Michelson interferometer requires a higher average operating frequency (i.e., it needs a longer data acquisition time), although this interferometer does offer superior displacement output linearity. This property enables calculation of the sound pressure from the displacement amplitude. These findings indicated that combination of the measurement points of the Sagnac interferometer with those of the sparsely distributed Michelson interferometer reduced the measurement time when compared with a single use of the Michelson interferometer while also maintaining the data acquisition quality.

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNM)have been widely used in various fields due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In particular, in the area of tumor diagnosis and treatment, researchers have frequently reported them for their potential fluorescence, photoacoustic (PA), and ultrasound imaging performance, as well as their photothermal, photodynamic, sonodynamic, and other therapeutic properties. As the functions of CBNM are increasingly developed, their excellent imaging properties and superior tumor treatment effects make them extremely promising theranostic agents. This review aims to integrate the considered and researched information in a specific field of this research topic and systematically present, summarize, and comment on the efforts made by authoritative scholars. In this review, we summarized the work exploring carbon-based materials in the field of tumor imaging and therapy, focusing on PA imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) and discussing their imaging and therapeutic mechanisms and developments. Finally, the current challenges and potential opportunities of carbon-based materials for PA imaging-guided PTT are presented, and issues that researchers should be aware of when studying CBNM are provided.

UNASSIGNED: Endocavity ultrasound (US) imaging is a frequently employed diagnostic technique in gynecology and urology for the assessment of male and female genital diseases that present challenges for conventional transabdominal imaging. The integration of photoacoustic (PA) imaging with clinical US imaging has displayed promising outcomes in clinical research. Nonetheless, its application has been constrained due to size limitations, restricting it to spatially confined locations such as vaginal or rectal canals.
UNASSIGNED: This study presents the development of a video-rate (20 Hz) endocavity PA/harmonic US imaging (EPAUSI) system.
UNASSIGNED: The approach incorporates a commercially available endocavity US probe with a miniaturized laser delivery unit, comprised of a single large-core fiber and a line beamshaping engineered diffuser. The system facilitates real-time image display and subsequent processing, including angular energy density correction and spectral unmixing, in offline mode.
UNASSIGNED: The spatial resolutions of the concurrently acquired PA and harmonic US images were measured at 318  μm and 291  μm in the radial direction, respectively, and 1.22 deg and 1.50 deg in the angular direction, respectively. Furthermore, the system demonstrated its capability in multispectral PA imaging by successfully distinguishing two clinical dyes in a tissue-mimicking phantom. Its rapid temporal resolution enabled the capture of kinetic dye perfusion into an ex vivo porcine ovary through the depth of porcine uterine tissue. EPAUSI proved its clinical viability by detecting pulsating hemodynamics in the male rat\'s prostate in vivo and accurately classifying human blood vessels into arteries and veins based on sO2 measurements.
UNASSIGNED: Our proposed EPAUSI system holds the potential to unveil previously overlooked indicators of vascular alterations in genital cancers or endometriosis, addressing pressing requirements in the fields of gynecology and urology.

Vast and complex intestinal communities are regulated and balanced through interactions with their host organisms, and disruption of gut microbial balance can cause a variety of diseases. Studying the mechanisms of pathogenic intestinal flora in the host and early detection of bacterial translocation and colonization can guide clinical diagnosis, provide targeted treatments, and improve patient prognosis. The use of in vivo imaging techniques to track microorganisms in the intestine, and study structural and functional changes of both cells and proteins, may clarify the governing equilibrium between the flora and host. Despite the recent rapid development of in vivo imaging of intestinal microecology, determining the ideal methodology for clinical use remains a challenge. Advances in optics, computer technology, and molecular biology promise to expand the horizons of research and development, thereby providing exciting opportunities to study the spatio-temporal dynamics of gut microbiota and the origins of disease. Here, this study reviews the characteristics and problems associated with optical imaging techniques, including bioluminescence, conventional fluorescence, novel metabolic labeling methods, nanomaterials, intelligently activated imaging agents, and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. It hopes to provide a valuable theoretical basis for future bio-intelligent imaging of intestinal bacteria.