Cao, YingchunAlloosh, MouhamadSturek, MichaelCheng, Ji-Xin2024-03-082024-03-082020Cao Y, Alloosh M, Sturek M, Cheng JX. Highly sensitive lipid detection and localization in atherosclerotic plaque with a dual-frequency intravascular photoacoustic/ultrasound catheter. Transl Biophotonics. 2020;2(3):e202000004. doi:10.1002/tbio.202000004https://hdl.handle.net/1805/39103Intravascular photoacoustic/ultrasound (IVPA/US) is an emerging hybrid imaging modality that provides specific lipid detection and localization, while maintaining co-registered artery morphology, for diagnosis of vulnerable plaque in cardiovascular disease. However, current IVPA/US approaches based on a single-element transducer exhibit compromised performance for lipid detection due to the relatively low contrast of lipid absorption and conflicting detection bands for photoacoustic and ultrasound signals. Here, we present a dual-frequency IVPA/US catheter for highly sensitive detection and precision localization of lipids. The low frequency transducer provides enhanced photoacoustic sensitivity, while the high frequency transducer maintains state-of-the-art spatial resolution for ultrasound imaging. The boosted capability of IVPA/US imaging enables a multi-scale analysis of lipid distribution in swine with coronary atherosclerosis. The dual-frequency IVPA/US catheter has a diameter of 1 mm and flexibility to easily adapt to current catheterization procedures and is a significant step toward clinical diagnosis of vulnerable plaque.en-USPublisher PolicyAtherosclerotic plaqueDual-frequencyIntravascular photoacousticLipid coreOssabaw miniature swineArticle