CR2-Targeted USPIO Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive Inflammation Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing complement-mediated inflammation are invasive and carry risks, such as internal bleeding, due to the need for biopsies, which sample only a small portion of the target organ and may lead to incorrect diagnoses or complications.

Innovation Solution

Administration of CR2-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles that are specifically designed to target complement components like C3b, iC3b, C3dg, and C3d, allowing for non-invasive detection through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by binding to sites of complement activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If biopsy is used to diagnose complement-mediated inflammation, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but the procedure is invasive and carries risks such as internal bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic informationVSAvoidinternal bleeding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical biopsy procedure with a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles serve as contrast agents that accumulate at sites of complement-mediated inflammation, allowing visualization and diagnosis without mechanical tissue sampling, thereby eliminating the risk of internal bleeding while maintaining diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If biopsy is used to sample target organ, then disease detection is possible, but only a small portion of the organ is sampled which may lead to incorrect diagnoses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease detection accuracyVSAvoidcomprehensive disease assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The USPIO nanoparticle-based MRI technique provides a universal imaging approach that can assess the entire target organ comprehensively, unlike biopsy which samples only a small portion. The nanoparticles distribute throughout the organ and accumulate at all sites of complement-mediated inflammation, enabling complete visualization and accurate diagnosis without missing disease foci

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional biopsy methods are used, then invasive procedures are performed, but complications and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis reliabilityVSAvoidpatient safety and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the invasive mechanical biopsy procedure with a non-invasive MRI imaging technique using USPIO nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are administered systemically and accumulate at inflammation sites, allowing reliable diagnosis through imaging without mechanical tissue extraction, thereby eliminating procedural complications and improving patient safety and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables accurate and non-invasive detection of complement-mediated inflammation, reducing the risk of complications and providing a more comprehensive assessment of disease activity compared to traditional biopsy methods.

Implementation Method 1

CR2-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperparamagnetism: Superparamagnetism

Implementation Method 2

taking a magnetic resonance image of the individual

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance imaging:

Data Source

PatentUS8840868B2Non-invasive detection of complement-mediated inflammation using CR2-targeted nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

AI summary

Methods of non-invasive imaging of complement-mediated inflammation are provided. Compositions including CR-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic nanoparticles or aggregates thereof for use with those methods are also provided.