Double-scattering/reflection in a single nanoparticle for intensified ultrasound imaging.
Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) designed by the conventional composition-based strategy, often suffer from relatively low ultrasound utilization efficiency. In this report, a structure-based design concept of double-scattering/reflection in a single nanoparticle for enhancing ultrasound imaging has been proposed. To exemplify this concept, a rattle-type mesoporous silica nanostructure (MSN) with two contributing interfaces has been employed as the ideal model. Contributed by double-scattering/reflection interfaces, the rattle-type MSN, as expected, performs much better in in vitro and in vivo ultrasound imaging than the other two nanostructures (solid and hollow) containing only one scattering/reflection interface. More convincingly, related acoustic measurements and simulation calculations also confirm this design concept. Noticeably, the rattle-type MSN has also been demonstrated capable of improving intracellular ultrasound molecular imaging. As a universal method, the structure-design concept can extend to guide the design of new generation UCAs with many other compositions and similar structures (e.g., heterogeneous rattle-type, double-shelled).
State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China.
Kun
K
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China.
Hangrong
H
Chen
Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, MOE, Institute of Acoustics, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. China.
Xiasheng
X
Guo
Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, MOE, Institute of Acoustics, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. China.
Dong
D
Zhang
Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P. R. China.
Yuanyi
Y
Zheng
Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China.
Hairong
H
Zheng
State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China.
Jianlin
J
Shi
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D012822:Silicon Dioxide