ICG Fluorescent Labeling Composition for Longer Imaging With Lower Toxicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological fluorescence imaging techniques using indocyanine green (ICG) face challenges in achieving accurate compartment identifiability, long light emission time, minimal biological burden, and economic efficiency, with issues such as skin irritation, cytotoxicity, and insufficient fluorescent control.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising indocyanine green (ICG) and a hydroxyl group-containing organic compound, such as ethanol or glycerol, stabilizes fluorescent labeling, allowing for improved compartment identifiability and prolonged light emission, while minimizing biological burden and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If DMSO is used as a solvent for ICG, then ICG can be dissolved and administered, but it causes skin irritation, cytotoxicity, and biological burden

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveICG solubilityVSAvoidskin irritation and cytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a hydroxyl group-containing organic compound (such as glycerol, ethanol, or isopropanol) as an intermediary substance to replace DMSO. This intermediary solvent achieves ICG dissolution without the harmful effects of DMSO, maintaining solubility while eliminating skin irritation and cytotoxicity through its different chemical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the solvent from DMSO to hydroxyl group-containing organic compounds. This parameter change maintains the solvent's ability to dissolve ICG while fundamentally altering its biological interaction profile, thereby reducing or eliminating the harmful effects associated with DMSO administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ICG is administered intravenously, then fluorescent imaging can be performed, but the light emission time is insufficient for prolonged observation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartment identifiabilityVSAvoidlight emission time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite formulation by combining ICG with hydroxyl group-containing organic compounds. This composite material modifies the pharmacokinetic properties of ICG, extending its circulation time and light emission duration in the biological body, thereby enabling prolonged observation while maintaining compartment identifiability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical environment of ICG by introducing hydroxyl group-containing compounds, which alters the fluorescence emission characteristics and stability of ICG in vivo. This parameter change extends the light emission time without compromising the ability to accurately identify anatomical compartments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If azo-boron complex compounds are used for fluorescent labeling, then near-infrared fluorescence can be achieved, but toxicity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenear-infrared fluorescenceVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs ICG, a well-established, inexpensive, and clinically approved fluorescent dye, instead of expensive azo-boron complex compounds. While ICG has shorter circulation time, the hydroxyl group-containing organic compounds extend its utility, providing a cost-effective and low-toxicity alternative that maintains near-infrared fluorescence capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 composition enables accurate identification of observation targets with long-lasting fluorescent light emission, reduces biological burden, and enhances economic efficiency by avoiding toxic solvents like DMSO, thus improving surgical precision and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

ICG is injected into a biological body, and is irradiated with excitation light so as to generate fluorescent light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStabilization of fluorescent compound:

Data Source

PatentUS20260069722A1Composition for fluorescent labeling, fluorescent probe, injection agent, syringe filling, medical apparatus, medical fiber material, method for producing composition for fluorescent labeling, and method for producing medical fiber material

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 VITA

AI summary

A composition for fluorescent labeling comprises a compound (A) that is an ICG compound and a hydroxyl group-containing organic compound (B). In this way, it is possible to provide a composition for fluorescent labeling that has excellent compartment identifiability to identify an observation target more accurately, a long light emission time to observe the observation target for a long time, a small load to a biological body, and good economic efficiency.