Hydrophilic Nanoparticles via Amphiphilic Dye Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomedical applications of multilayer nanoparticles require surface modification to enhance biocompatibility, which is complex and not fully addressed for nanoparticles with both magnetic and fluorescence properties.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophilic particle is created by directly absorbing an amphiphilic organic dye on the surface of a hydrophobic particle, using a phase conversion method without surface modification, combining transition metal oxides or up-conversion particles with fatty acid ligands and cyanine dyes for enhanced biocompatibility and dual-modal imaging capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surface modification is performed to enhance biocompatibility of multilayer nanoparticles, then biocompatibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidsurface modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the surface modification step entirely by using pre-synthesized nanoparticles with built-in hydrophilic surfaces. The nanoparticles are designed to have hydrophilic groups (such as carboxyl or hydroxyl groups) on their surfaces from the synthesis stage, eliminating the need for subsequent surface modification procedures while maintaining biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophilic surface properties are incorporated into the nanoparticles during the synthesis process itself, rather than adding them later. By performing the hydrophilic surface creation as a preliminary action during nanoparticle formation, the patent avoids complex post-synthesis modification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multilayer structure is used to combine magnetic and fluorescence properties, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing precision and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual-modal imaging capabilityVSAvoidlayer structure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single-component nanoparticle design that provides both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging capabilities. The nanoparticle contains both paramagnetic materials (for MRI contrast) and fluorescent materials (for optical imaging) within the same particle structure, achieving dual-modal imaging without requiring complex multilayer assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the magnetic and fluorescent functional components into a single nanoparticle entity. By combining paramagnetic substances and fluorescent substances within one particle system, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining both imaging modalities simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If heavy metal materials are used for magnetic nanoparticle core, then magnetic properties are improved, but biocompatibility worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic propertyVSAvoidbiocompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite nanoparticle system that combines paramagnetic materials (providing magnetic properties) with hydrophilic surface materials (providing biocompatibility). The composite structure allows the nanoparticle to maintain strong magnetic characteristics while the hydrophilic surface reduces toxicity and improves biocompatibility for in vivo applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 resulting hydrophilic particles exhibit high biocompatibility, stability, and dual contrasting functions for magnetic resonance and optical imaging, simplifying the manufacturing process and increasing the fluorescence stability of the organic dye.

Implementation Method 1

the amphiphilic organic dye is combined with the hydrophobic ligand by a hydrophobic interaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction:

Implementation Method 2

the amphiphilic organic dye is directly absorbed on a surface of the hydrophobic particle to phase-convert the hydrophobic particle to the hydrophilic particle dispersed in the aqueous phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase conversion: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3308802B1Hydrophilic particles, method for producing same, and contrast agent utilizing same
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 KOREA BASIC SCI INST
  • EP3308802B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3308802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308802B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided are a hydrophilic particle, a method for manufacturing the same, and a contrasting agent using the same. More specifically, the hydrophilic particle according to the inventive concept may include a hydrophobic particle, and an amphiphilic organic dye directly absorbed on a surface of the hydrophobic particle. In this case, the hydrophobic particle includes a center particle, and a hydrophobic ligand covering a surface of the center particle, and the amphiphilic organic dye may be combined to the hydrophobic ligand by a hydrophobic interaction. The hydrophilic particle may have a surface zeta potential lower than a surface zeta potential of the amphiphilic organic dye.