Photoacoustic imaging is a rapidly developing tool capable of achieving high-resolution images with optical contrast at imaging depths up to a few centimeters. When combined with targeted nanoparticle contrast agents, sensitive detection of molecular signatures is possible. In this chapter, we discuss the achievements and future directions of nanoparticle-augmented photoacoustic imaging. We present a method to synthesize silica-coated gold nanorods, which are highly stable, signal amplifying photoacoustic contrast agents, and also describe spectroscopic image acquisition and processing steps to provide a specific map of nanoparticle distribution in vivo.
Keywords: Gold nanorods; Molecular imaging; Photoacoustic imaging; Spectroscopy.