In one aspect, methods of imaging are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of imaging described herein comprises disposing a population of ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in a biological environment, the fluorophores having a switching threshold between an off state and an on state; exposing the biological environment to an ultrasound beam to create an activation region within the biological environment; switching at least one of the fluorophores within the activation region from the off state to the on state; exciting the at least one fluorophore with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detecting light emitted by the fluorophore. In some embodiments, the activation region has a maximum negative pressure and/or maximum temperature and the switching threshold of the at least one fluorophore is at least about 50 percent of the maximum negative pressure or at least about 50 percent of the maximum temperature of the activation region.
在某个方面,本文描述了成像的方法。在某些实施例中,本文所描述的成像方法包括将一群超声开关荧光物质置于
生物环境中,该荧光物质在关闭状态和打开状态之间具有开关阈值;将
生物环境暴露于超声波束中,以在
生物环境内创建一个激活区域;将至少一个荧光物质从关闭状态转换至打开状态,以在激活区域内进行切换;用电磁辐射束激发至少一种荧光物质;并检测荧光物质发出的光。在某些实施例中,激活区域具有最大的负压和/或最高温度,至少一个荧光物质的开关阈值至少为激活区域最大负压或最高温度的约50%。