Figure 6

Ultrasound with targeted UCAs is a viable method to quantify biofilm matrix. The biofilm matrix was quantified by time-resolved high-frequency scanning acoustic microscopy. (A) Integrated backscatter shown for a range of different frequencies from 97 MHz to 104 MHz. Regions where targeted UCAs are bound to the biofilm exhibit stronger backscatter and thus allow for the detection of biofilm matrix. (B) Attenuation of sound over the same frequency range as in 6A. Regions with bound targeted UCAs show a significantly higher sound attenuation compared to regions with unbound agents. The different sound signature from bound vs. unbound regions may potentiate an earlier and more effective diagnosis of infected regions.