Lyophilized Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Chains for Stable Reconstitution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nanoparticles with iron oxide mineral cores, when coated with synthetic materials like carboxy-methyl-dextran or citric acid, tend to degrade in water, making it difficult to maintain their chain arrangement over a long period.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising nanoparticles with iron oxide mineral cores coated with a synthetic coating, mixed with a cryo-protectant compound, is lyophilized and then resuspended in a liquid to maintain chain arrangement and magnetic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nanoparticles are stored in liquid suspension, then they can be readily used, but the synthetic coating degrades over time and chain arrangement cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by lyophilizing nanoparticles with chain arrangement before storage, preserving the chain structure in a dry state. The chain arrangement is reconstituted only when needed by adding liquid, thus maintaining stability during storage while ensuring readiness for use when required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nanoparticles are lyophilized for long-term storage, then chain arrangement is maintained, but they require resuspension before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming the chain arrangement during lyophilization and storing it in a ready-to-reconstitute state. This eliminates the need for time-consuming chain formation procedures after storage, reducing the time loss during resuspension while maintaining chain stability throughout storage.
3Shape
If synthetic coating is used on nanoparticle cores, then chain arrangement can be formed, but the coating degrades in water over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the chain arrangement with synthetic coating before water exposure through lyophilization. The coating maintains chain structure during the dry storage phase, and the chain arrangement is reconstituted only when liquid is added, minimizing the coating's exposure time to degrading water environments while preserving the desired shape.
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 cryo-protectant maintains the chain arrangement and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles, preventing degradation and ensuring stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
a cryo-protectant or protectant compound that is optionally mixed with water, wherein preferentially the dissociating energy between the coating and the core is preferentially larger than the dissociating energy between the cryoprotectant and the core
Implementation Method 2
They are then preferentially resuspended in a liquid, where they preferentially reconstitute chains, before use
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising at least one nanoparticle or at least one chain of at least two nanoparticles, wherein each nanoparticle in the chain preferentially comprises an iron oxide mineral core preferentially surrounded by a coating, wherein the composition further comprises a cryo-protectant or protectant compound, wherein the volume occupied by the cryo-protectant or protectant compound in the composition is preferentially larger than the volume occupied by at least one chain in the composition, preferentially by a factor of at least 1, 2, 5, 10 or 103, wherein the percentage in mass of cryo-protectant or protectant compound in the composition is preferentially comprised between 0.5 and 50 %, wherein the composition is preferentially isotonic.