Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles for Photothermal Tumor Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments, such as those using gold nanoparticles for photothermal ablation, are expensive, difficult to produce, and have limitations in targeting deep-seated tumors due to size constraints and cytotoxicity, while existing minimally invasive procedures often leave malignant cells intact, leading to recurrence.
Innovation Solution
Copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles with diameters less than 3 nm, exhibiting strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region, are developed for targeted photothermal ablation therapy, allowing for selective heating of cancer cells and minimizing damage to healthy tissues through directed NIR light activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gold nanoparticles are used for photothermal ablation therapy, then therapeutic effect is improved, but production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive gold nanoparticles with inexpensive copper sulfide nanoparticles that can be synthesized through simple chemical precipitation methods, dramatically reducing production costs while maintaining photothermal ablation efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition from gold to copper sulfide and optimizes particle size parameters (10-100 nm range) to achieve both cost reduction and effective NIR light absorption for photothermal therapy
2Length of moving object
If gold nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm are used, then targeting capability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimal particle size range of 10-100 nm for copper sulfide nanoparticles, balancing enhanced penetration and targeting capability with feasible chemical synthesis methods, avoiding the manufacturing challenges of sub-10 nm particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-assembly and chemical precipitation processes where copper ions and sulfide ions automatically form nanoparticles of appropriate size through controlled reaction conditions, eliminating complex top-down fabrication methods
3Reliability
If complex core-shell nanostructures are used for NIR absorption, then therapeutic effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex core-shell structure requirement by demonstrating that simple copper sulfide nanoparticles with uniform composition can achieve effective NIR absorption and photothermal conversion, removing the need for multi-layered composite structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous copper sulfide nanoparticles with uniform composition and size distribution, replacing heterogeneous core-shell structures, which simplifies synthesis while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through consistent optical properties
4Ease of operation
If minimally invasive procedures are used for cancer treatment, then patient recovery is improved, but treatment completeness worsens leading to recurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical resection with photothermal ablation using copper sulfide nanoparticles activated by NIR light, enabling minimally invasive treatment that thoroughly destroys malignant cells through controlled thermal damage without physical incisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces copper sulfide nanoparticles as intermediary agents that deliver thermal energy selectively to tumor cells when activated by NIR light, achieving complete cell destruction while maintaining minimally invasive characteristics and rapid patient recovery
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
CuS nanoparticles effectively accumulate in small tumors, enabling precise thermal ablation of cancer cells with minimal cytotoxicity and improved imaging capabilities, reducing recurrence rates and mortality associated with cancer.
Implementation Method 1
The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic agents. The nanoparticles of the present invention have the capability to absorb near infrared wavelength light to act as a therapeutic agent by generating heat energy effective for cell ablation.
Implementation Method 2
Nanoparticles can be efficiently delivered into cancerous tissue, such as tumors, via a property inherent of fast growing neoplasias called Enhanced Permeability and Retention ('EPR'). This property is marked by 'leaky vasculature' within tumors, allowing extravasation and retention of macromolecules or nanoscale particles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention relates to creating a copper (Cu)-based nanoparticle and a method for making the same. The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic compounds and used for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.