Nano‐Agents for NIR‐II Photoacoustic Imaging

ABSTRACT Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), an intriguing imaging technology, is increasingly being utilized in both basic and clinical medical research. PAI in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) offers a series of notable advantages, enhanced depth penetration, diminished tissue autofluorescence, elevated maximum allowable exposure, and reduced background noise, which are not available in the first near‐infrared window (NIR‐I). These attributes underscore the considerable potential of NIR‐II window for PAI in the realm of biomedical applications. This review centers on elucidating the significance of the NIR‐II window for PAI, presenting an overview of NIR‐II PAI contrast agents, and spotlighting the latest advancements in NIR‐II PAI with an emphasis on their biomedical uses. Furthermore, prospective problems and opportunities for NIR‐II PA contrast agents are highlighted. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle‐Based Sensing