A groundbreaking ultrasound imaging technique is changing how scientists observe living cells inside whole organs. Developed by physicists at TU Delft, this method—nonlinear sound sheet microscopy—captures capillaries and individual cells in 3D, something previously impossible. Unlike traditional ultrasound used in medical scans, this innovation provides a microscopic view of tissues without needing invasive procedures.
Imaging Cells in 3D Without Removing Tissues
Ultrasound is widely used in medicine, but conventional technology cannot visualize the smallest structures, like cells. Current high-resolution imaging techniques, such as light sheet microscopy, work well but have major limitations. They can only image thin or translucent specimens since light cannot penetrate deep into opaque tissue. This makes it difficult to study cellular activity in living organs.
Now, scientists at TU Delft, in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and Caltech, have overcome this challenge. Their new technique allows non-invasive imaging of cells inside entire organs, providing detailed insights into how they function in real time.
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How the New Imaging Works
The key to this breakthrough is a nanoscale gas-filled vesicle developed at Caltech’s Shapiro Lab. These vesicles have a protein shell that makes them highly reflective in ultrasound images. Researchers can engineer them to adjust their brightness, making specific cells stand out. By introducing these vesicles into living tissues, scientists successfully tracked cancer cells and capillaries with unparalleled detail.
Revolutionizing Brain Imaging
One of the most promising applications of this technique is brain imaging. The research team used microbubbles circulating in the bloodstream to detect capillaries inside living brains. This is a major breakthrough in medical imaging. Small vessel diseases, which contribute to strokes and neurodegenerative disorders, are difficult to detect with existing methods. This new ultrasound technique could help doctors diagnose such conditions earlier and more accurately.
Since microbubble probes are already approved for human use, this technology could be implemented in hospitals in the near future.
A New Tool in Cancer Research
Beyond clinical applications, nonlinear sound sheet microscopy has huge potential for cancer research. The technique can differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissue, providing critical information about tumor growth. It can even visualize the necrotic core of a tumor—the central area where cells die due to oxygen deprivation. This could help monitor cancer progression and improve the effectiveness of treatments.
Future of Ultrasound Imaging
This innovation marks a significant shift in medical imaging. By combining the depth penetration of ultrasound with the precision of microscopy, researchers can now study cell behavior inside whole organs without invasive procedures. From diagnosing brain disorders to advancing cancer research, this new method has the potential to transform both medicine and biology.
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