High-power acoustic insult to cells as studied by acoustic microscopy

A plurality of articles discussing combined effects of acoustic high-pressure and heat caused by acoustic vibration on biological tissues and cells has been introduced. Herein, we contribute the first article describing the use of a blunt impact caused by high-power ultrasonic pulses for insulting living human skin cells, wherein the impact does not generate heat. The pulses were generated by an apparatus comprising a liquid horn (i.e., water filled horn) including a concave transducer, an apparatus comprising a solid horn (i.e., aluminum waveguide horn) including a disc transducer, and a laser induced ultrasonic shock wave system, wherein the pressures caused by the pulses were measured by a hydrophone, and wherein temperature was monitored by thermocouples. Phenomena indicating cellular insult and injury (e.g., shrinkage or lift-off) were clearly visualized with scanning acoustic microscopy with frequency at 1.0 GHz.