Squid ink to replace sharp dental probes Nanoengineers from the University of California, San Diego, have suggested to image gums after patients gargle a mouthful of squid ink – instead of the conventional process to use sharp instruments to look for signs of gum disease. Jesse Jokerst and his colleagues described the non-invasive method to measure pocket depth – which could be missed when dentists are pressed for time – through high-resolution photoacoustic ultrasound. This uses a short burst of light from a laser to create acoustical pressure waves. The squid ink, full of melanin nanoparticles is able to absorb a lot of light and when shot with a laser, the ink in the mouth will heat and swell, creating pressure differences in the gum pockets that the ultrasound can easily detect, Jokerst said. The team has tested out the method on pig jaws and are now planning clinical trials. Jokerst also hopes to improve the taste of the squid ink rinse which is currently quite salty and somewhat bitter. Source