Exothermic Nanoparticle-Enhanced Radiofrequency-Acoustic Bioimaging

In this paper, we propose the use of exothermic nanoparticles (ENPs) as a novel contrast-enhancing agent in Radiofrequency (RF) Acoustic or RF-Induced thermoacoustic imaging (RFTAI). We provide the mathematical framework for modeling attributes such as heat generation, and acoustic pressure profiles in a simulated medium. Based on the mathematical frameworks provided in the paper, finite element modeling was used to simulate the thermoacoustic effect in aqueous media from ENPs. A systematic approach was embraced to modeling (i) heat generated in the exothermic reaction taking place in the ENP (ii) the temperature profile ensuing from the heat generation and (iii) the acoustic pressure stemming from thermal expansion taking place in a target tissue. The results of these simulations show promise for ENPs' contrast-enhancing properties as well as provide key insight in designing robust or application-specific ENPs. The models and results presented in this work will aid the development of ENP-aided RFTAI.