Bimodal Probe for Neoplastic Tissue Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular imaging techniques for neoplasia, such as MRI, CT, FMT, and PET, face challenges in distinguishing between healthy and neoplastic tissue, requiring high doses of contrast agents and lacking flexibility in dye selection, which complicates surgical interventions and may result in incomplete tissue removal or residual neoplastic tissue.
Innovation Solution
A bimodal compound with a molecular weight of not more than 5 kDa, comprising a motif specifically binding to neoplastic cell membranes, a chelator moiety for radiometals, and a dye moiety, allowing for both PET scans and fluorescence imaging, enabling precise localization and visualization of neoplastic tissue during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI or PET is combined with another imaging method to enable distinct detection of neoplasia and surrounding tissue, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PET and fluorescence imaging capabilities into a single bimodal compound that can be detected by both modalities. The compound contains a radiometal chelator for PET and a fluorophore for fluorescence imaging, merged into one molecular structure that targets neoplastic cells. This resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple imaging functions at the molecular level rather than requiring separate complex apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The bimodal compound serves multiple imaging functions simultaneously - it can be detected by PET for deep tissue localization and by fluorescence imaging for real-time surgical visualization. This multi-functionality allows a single compound to provide comprehensive imaging information across different modalities, reducing the need for multiple separate imaging systems.
2Measurement precision
If molecular imaging is completed before surgery, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs during surgical localization
Solution Approach 1:
The bimodal compound is administered before surgery to allow accumulation in neoplastic cells, enabling pre-surgical PET imaging for precise localization. The compound remains in the tissue during surgery, allowing immediate fluorescence imaging without additional administration time, thus maintaining precision while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The compound provides continuous imaging capability from pre-surgical PET through intraoperative fluorescence imaging. The same molecular probe that enables PET detection continues to provide fluorescence signal during surgery, creating an uninterrupted imaging workflow that eliminates time loss associated with re-administration or re-localization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bimodal compound with multiple functional groups is designed, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bimodal compound is designed with distinct functional modules: a radiometal chelator moiety, a fluorophore moiety, and a neoplastic cell-targeting motif. These segments can be independently selected and optimized, then assembled through standardized coupling reactions. This modular segmentation maintains manufacturing feasibility while enabling versatility in dye and targeting motif selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The compound incorporates universal coupling mechanisms that allow different fluorophores and targeting motifs to be attached to the same chelator core through standardized chemical reactions. This universal design enables flexible adaptation to different imaging requirements while maintaining consistent and reliable manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compound enables precise in vivo and intraoperative imaging, improving the ability to distinguish neoplastic from healthy tissue, potentially reducing tissue removal errors and enhancing surgical outcomes by providing real-time visualization of neoplastic tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a chelator moiety for radiometals
Implementation Method 2
a dye moiety; wherein said compound enables fluorescence imaging
Implementation Method 3
a chelator moiety for radiometals; wherein said compound enables positron emission tomography (PET) scanning
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof having a chemical structure comprising: (A) at least one motif specifically binding to cell membranes of neoplastic cells; (B) at least one chelator moiety of radiometals; and (C) at least one dye moiety; wherein said compound has a molecular weight of not more than 5 kDa. Further, the invention refers to a method for producing such compound and to the in vivo and in vitro uses thereof.