Metallohydroporphyrins for photoacoustic imaging

A method of generating an image of a volume, the method comprising:

• (a) contacting the volume with a contrast agent comprising at least one radiation-absorbing component, wherein the at least one radiation-absorbing component comprises a metallobacteriochlorin, a metallochlorin, or a derivative thereof, wherein the metallobacteriochlorin, the metallochlorin, and/or the derivative thereof is complexed to copper or manganese;
• (b) exposing the volume to radiation;
• (c) detecting ultrasonic waves generated in the volume by the radiation;
• and
• (d) generating a photoacoustic image therefrom of the volume or part thereof containing the contrast agent.

A method for multiplex photoacoustic imaging of a volume, the method comprising:

• (a) contacting the volume with a contrast agent comprising a plurality of radiation-absorbing components, each member of the plurality of radiation-absorbing components comprising a metallobacteriochlorin, a metallochlorin, and/or a derivative thereof, wherein the metallobacteriochlorin, the metallochlorin, and/or the derivative thereof is complexed to copper or manganese;
• (b) exposing the volume to radiation, wherein the radiation is calibrated to wavelengths that are differentially absorbed by the plurality of radiation-absorbing components;
• (c) differentially detecting ultrasonic waves generated in the volume by the radiation as it is differentially absorbed by the plurality of radiation-absorbing components;
• and
• (d) generating a photoacoustic image therefrom of the volume or a part thereof containing the administered contrast agent, wherein the photoacoustic image is generated from the differentially detecting ultrasonic waves.