Author:
Aziz Azaam,Nauber Richard,Iglesias Ana Sánchez,Tang Min,Ma Libo,Liz-Marzán Luis M.,Schmidt Oliver G.,Medina-Sánchez Mariana
Abstract
AbstractMicro-and nanorobots have the potential to perform non-invasive drug delivery, sensing, and surgery in living organisms, with the aid of diverse medical imaging techniques. To perform such actions, microrobots require high spatiotemporal resolution tracking with real-time closed-loop feedback. To that end, photoacoustic imaging has appeared as a promising technique for imaging microrobots in deep tissue with higher molecular specificity and contrast. Here, we present different strategies to track magnetically-driven micromotors with improved contrast and specificity using dedicated contrast agents (Au nanorods and nanostars). Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of improving the light absorption properties of the employed nanomaterials considering possible light scattering and coupling to the underlying metal-oxide layers on the micromotor’s surface. For that, 2D COMSOL simulation and experimental results were correlated, confirming that an increased spacing between the Au-nanostructures and the increase of thickness of the underlying oxide layer lead to enhanced light absorption and preservation of the characteristic absorption peak. These characteristics are important when visualizing the micromotors in a complex in vivo environment, to distinguish them from the light absorption properties of the surrounding natural chromophores.
Funder
European Research Council
Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden (IFW)
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Mechanical Engineering,General Materials Science
Cited by
2 articles.
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