Metal Core Nanoparticles for Coronary Plaque Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques, such as conventional CT and photoacoustic tomography, face limitations in detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and microthrombi in coronary arteries due to limited contrast and resolution, which hinders early detection of myocardial infarction and unstable angina.
Innovation Solution
Development of nanoparticles with a metal core, such as gadolinium, gold, or bismuth, encapsulated in an oil-like substance and coated with amphiphilic materials, which can be targeted to specific sites within the body using antibodies or peptides, allowing for enhanced imaging through spectral CT and photoacoustic tomography by providing improved contrast and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT imaging is used, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the contrast resolution for soft tissue and vulnerable plaques is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nanoparticles as intermediary contrast agents that accumulate at vulnerable plaques and fibrin clots. These nanoparticles serve as mediators between the imaging system and the target structures, providing enhanced contrast without requiring complex imaging systems. The nanoparticles themselves carry the contrast properties needed for high-resolution imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the imaging agents by using nanoparticles with specific metal compositions (gold, bismuth, gadolinium) and sizes (1-100 nm). These parameter changes enable the nanoparticles to provide enhanced contrast in conventional CT imaging without requiring spectral CT or other advanced imaging modalities.
2Measurement precision
If spectral CT with K-edge imaging is used, then the detection of K-edge materials is improved, but the clinical value is limited due to weak differences in x-ray absorption among biological tissue elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial structures (nanoparticles) that copy and amplify the contrast properties needed for imaging. Instead of relying on the natural weak contrast differences between biological tissue elements, the nanoparticles provide a strong, copyable contrast signal that can be detected with conventional CT imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite nanoparticle structures combining metal cores (gold, bismuth, gadolinium) with shell materials (lipids, polymers, proteins). These composite structures provide both the high contrast properties needed for detection and the biological compatibility required for clinical application, overcoming the limitation of pure metal contrast agents.
3Measurement precision
If photoacoustic tomography is used, then noninvasive imaging is achieved, but the resolution and contrast for detecting vulnerable plaques and microthrombi are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs nanoparticles that can serve multiple functions: they act as contrast agents for CT imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and potentially other imaging modalities. This multi-functionality allows the same nanoparticle formulation to enhance contrast across different imaging techniques without requiring separate specialized agents for each modality.
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
These nanoparticles enable sensitive and specific detection of fibrin clots and vulnerable plaques, providing high-resolution images that can aid in early diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction, overcoming the limitations of existing imaging modalities.
Implementation Method 1
The dominating physical absorption effects are the so-called photoelectric effect and the Compton Effect
Implementation Method 2
The dominating physical absorption effects are the so-called photoelectric effect and the Compton Effect
Implementation Method 3
Photo Acoustic Tomography is a nonionizing imaging modality based upon differential absorption of electromagnetic waves for different tissue types
Implementation Method 4
coated with amphiphilic materials
Data Source
AI summary
The invention encompasses particles comprising metal atoms, methods of making the particles, and methods for using the particles. In particular, the particles may be used to image biological tissues or to deliver a bioactive agent.