Ultrasound and near infrared fluorescent dual imaging have been developed. By a combination of near infrared fluorescent with higher resolution and ultrasound with better penetration depth, we propose an imaging method for visualizing vessels near surface and in deeper tissue. We have developed the contrast agents which can work in both imaging methods, in particular, fluorescent nanobubbles for imaging of lympha system(lympha vessels and lympha nodes). Nanobubbles based on liposome have internal gas as ultrasound contrast agents and indocyanine green derivatives is supported to the lipid bilayer membrane. The ability of contrast agents could be confirmed by using clinical equipment.

By using a scanning acoustic microscopy, we analyze 3D distribution of acoustic properties of tissue, such as speed of sound, attenuation and specific acoustic impedance in microscopic level. For the ultrasound and near infrared fluorescence dual imaging, we have collected the data of skin and subcutaneous tissue in collaboration with medical researcher, aiming to understand the properties relating to acoustic scattering of tissue. The knowledge gained from the data will enable us to optimize the setup in ultrasound and near infrared fluorescence dual imaging and help improve the signal processing.