Multimodal Nanoparticles for Persistent Tumor Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face challenges in providing real-time, accurate detection of residual tumors due to rapid clearance of contrast agents, making intra-operative imaging impractical and sometimes impossible, especially in surgeries involving irregular tumor margins and growth adjacent to critical structures.
Innovation Solution
Development of multimodal nanoparticles with multiple layers, each containing different dopant entities, allowing imaging across various modalities (e.g., MRI, PET, CT, X-ray, ultrasound) with a single injection, enabling visualization in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative stages, and capable of being detected by multiple imaging technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current contrast agents are used for imaging, then imaging can be performed, but the contrast agents are rapidly cleared requiring new injections for each imaging session
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite nanoparticle structures containing multiple dopant entities with different imaging modalities (e.g., MRI contrast agents, fluorescent dyes, radionuclides) embedded within a single particle matrix. This composite approach allows the particle to maintain imaging capability across multiple sessions while the persistent particle structure replaces the rapidly cleared conventional contrast agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanoparticle system is designed to provide multiple imaging functions simultaneously through different dopant entities, enabling the same particle to be detected by various imaging modalities (MRI, PET, CT, fluorescence) and to persist in the body for repeated imaging sessions, thus achieving universal imaging capability across time and modalities.
2Measurement precision
If conventional imaging probes are used, then tumor detection is possible, but real-time intra-operative detection of residual tumor remains unmet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent administers the multimodal nanoparticle probe prior to surgery, allowing the particles to accumulate in tumor tissue in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when intra-operative imaging is performed, the tumor and residual cells are already marked with persistent contrast, enabling real-time detection without requiring additional injection time during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanoparticle system changes the temporal parameter of contrast availability by providing persistent signaling that maintains detectable levels from preoperative through intraoperative to postoperative stages, transforming the transient contrast profile of conventional agents into a sustained signal that supports real-time imaging at any surgical stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging modalities are implemented with conventional agents, then comprehensive imaging is achieved, but multiple separate injections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities into a single nanoparticle platform by incorporating different dopant entities (MRI contrast agents, fluorescent dyes, radionuclides, CT contrast materials) within the same particle structure. This consolidation allows comprehensive multimodal imaging to be achieved through a single administration procedure, eliminating the need for separate injections for each modality.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanoparticle system serves as a universal imaging platform that can be detected by multiple imaging modalities simultaneously, providing adaptability across MRI, PET, CT, and fluorescence imaging while simplifying the administration procedure to a single injection that delivers all necessary contrast components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure, among other things, provides a composition of a particle including a substrate; at least a first condensation layer comprising at least a first dopant entity; and at least a second layer comprising a second dopant entity. In some embodiments, different dopant entities are included in different layers. In some embodiments, such dopant entities are or comprise detectable entities. This, in some embodiments, provided technologies achieve multi-modality particles. Among the many advantages of provided technologies include the ability to image particles by a plurality of distinct imaging modalities and/or in a plurality of contexts (e.g., pre-surgical, intraoperative and/or post-surgical environments). The present invention provides methods that include a single administration of particles to a subject, followed by a plurality of steps that comprise imaging the administered particles, which steps may utilize different imaging technologies and/or be performed at different times and/or in different environments.