Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel modified nanodroplets with a layerby-layer (LBL) assembly formulation (“LBLnNDs”). The LBLnNDs of the present disclosure comprise gaseous perfluorocarbon core, polymer shell, and multiple alternating positively and negatively charged biopolymer layers dispersed layerby-layer onto the shell of the LBLnNDs. Methods of making and use of the LBLnNDs are also provided.

Abstract: Acoustoelectric imaging (AEI) offers a novel, non-invasive method for monitoring current densities produced by a deep brain stimulator (DB S) or other medical device. By providing visual feedback of the electrical current patterns produced by the device, AEI may help guide placement of an implant during surgery, monitor device performance during routine checkups and over time, and perform accurate calibrations (in vivo or in situ).

Abstract: A two-dimensional wideband ultrasound transducer array for three or four-dimensional (volume+time) non-invasively imaging/mapping of electrical current in, for example, the brain through the skull, or the heart. The probe also has unique capabilities for three-dimensional transcranial or transthoracic pulse echo ultrasound (tissue structure, motion, bone thickness) and doppler blood flow imaging. The handheld device interfaces with an ultrasound delivery system for applications to human brain or heart imaging, ultrasound neuromodulation, and therapy. The handheld ultrasound array enables three-dimensional steering of an ultrasound beam through the human skull or chest for ultrasound, doppler, and acoustoelectric imaging and related modalities to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of brain or heart disorders.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect.

Abstract: An ultrasound system that detects a characteristic of an ultrasound wave. The system includes a circuit member defining a sensing portion operable to be exposed to the ultrasound wave. The system also includes a current generating device that generates a current in the sensing portion of the circuit member. Furthermore, the system includes a voltage sensor that detects a voltage across the sensing portion due to the exposure to the ultrasound wave to thereby detect the characteristic of the ultrasound wave.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect.

Abstract: A current source density mapping system includes an ultrasound transducer emitting an ultrasound wave traveling along an ultrasound beam directed at a mapping field in a region of living tissue and an ultrasound pulser delivering a transmit pulse to said ultrasound transducer. The system includes a timing device producing controlled excitation of the transmit pulse; a plurality of recording electrodes positioned in contact with the living tissue detecting an acoustoelectric voltage signal generated at a bioelectric current source and within a focal zone of said ultrasound beam.

Abstract: An ultrasound system that detects a characteristic of an ultrasound wave. The system includes a circuit member defining a sensing portion operable to be exposed to the ultrasound wave. The system also includes a current generating device that generates a current in the sensing portion of the circuit member. Furthermore, the system includes a voltage sensor that detects a voltage across the sensing portion due to the exposure to the ultrasound wave to thereby detect the characteristic of the ultrasound wave.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluorophore excited state lifetimes comprising initiating an excitation laser pulse at a dye to excite dye molecules of the dye from a ground state to an excited state and initiating a probing pulse at the dye molecules thereby generating a first set of photoacoustic waves at a first time delay resulting in a first intensity point. The process can be repeated, optionally introducing a second excitation laser pulse, to generate a second set of photoacoustic waves at a second time delay resulting in a second intensity point. The data can be analyzed to determine a slope between the first intensity point and the second intensity point.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluorophore excited state lifetimes comprising initiating an excitation laser pulse at a dye to excite dye molecules of the dye from a ground state to an excited state and initiating a probing pulse at the dye molecules thereby generating a first set of photoacoustic waves at a first time delay resulting in a first intensity point. The process can be repeated, optionally introducing a second excitation laser pulse, to generate a second set of photoacoustic waves at a second time delay resulting in a second intensity point. The data can be analyzed to determine a slope between the first intensity point and the second intensity point.

Abstract: A current source density mapping system includes an ultrasound transducer emitting an ultrasound wave traveling along an ultrasound beam directed at a mapping field in a region of living tissue and an ultrasound pulser delivering a transmit pulse to said ultrasound transducer. The system includes a timing device producing controlled excitation of the transmit pulse; a plurality of recording electrodes positioned in contact with the living tissue detecting an acoustoelectric voltage signal generated at a bioelectric current source and within a focal zone of said ultrasound beam.