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Ultrasound generation and detection are currently vibrant research areas, particularly concerning deep-tissue imaging and biomechanical characterization. In this talk, I will discuss two primary modalities: laser-generated ultrasound for photoacoustic imaging and air-coupled radiation force for measuring Young’s modulus.
In photoacoustic imaging, the optical absorption of nanosecond laser pulses induces broadband ultrasound waves. When combined with traditional pulse-echo ultrasound for anatomical guidance, this modality enables chemically specific detection with high ultrasound resolution for deep-tissue diagnosis. Beyond optical generation, air-coupled radiation force offers a unique method for non-contact mechanical wave generation. By measuring the propagation speed of these waves, we can accurately determine the Young’s modulus of a sample. This technique represents a potential breakthrough for the mechanical evaluation of tissue-engineered blood vessels—a critical capability that is currently lacking in the field.