Fungal Mycelium Nanostructure Delivery for Targeted Imaging Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies face challenges in delivering imaging agents to specific target sites within the body, limiting their effectiveness in visualization and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to fabricate nanostructures within a fungal mycelium, which acts as a delivery vehicle for imaging agents. The fungal mycelium absorbs and distributes the nanostructures, allowing for site-specific delivery when stimulated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging agents are used, then imaging capability is provided, but site-specific delivery to target tissues is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fungal mycelium as an intermediary delivery vehicle that naturally transports nanostructures to target tissues. The mycelium acts as a biological mediator between the imaging agents and the target site, solving the delivery difficulty while maintaining imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery mechanism by using living fungal mycelium that can actively grow and penetrate tissues. This biological parameter change enables site-specific delivery that conventional chemical or physical delivery methods cannot achieve.
2Quantity of substance
If imaging agents are delivered systemically, then broad coverage is achieved, but targeting precision to specific sites is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the fungal mycelium concentrate imaging agents at specific target sites rather than uniform systemic distribution. The mycelium grows locally to the target tissue and delivers agents precisely where needed, achieving both coverage and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the delivery process into distinct phases: fungal growth phase, nanostructure absorption phase, and target delivery phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve broad distribution through mycelial network growth while maintaining precise targeting at the endpoint.
3Ease of operation
If fungal mycelium is used as delivery vehicle, then site-specific delivery is enabled, but fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing the fungal mycelium to naturally absorb and transport the nanostructures without external intervention. The mycelium's inherent biological functions are harnessed for delivery, reducing the need for complex external control systems and fabrication procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-growing the fungal mycelium network to the target site before delivering the imaging agents. The mycelium is cultivated in advance to establish the delivery pathway, simplifying the actual agent delivery process.
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
This approach enables efficient and targeted delivery of imaging agents and therapeutic payloads, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of medical imaging and treatments such as photothermal therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The nanostructure is absorbed by the fungal mycelium and dispersed within hyphae of the fungal mycelium
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fabricating a nanostructure comprises adding a fungal mycelium (114) in a growth vessel (110). The growth vessel (110) comprising a growth medium (118). In the next step, the nanostructure is added in the growth vessel (110) which is then absorbed by the fungal mycelium (114) and finally distributed throughout the fungal mycelium (114). Further, a delivery vehicle for payload (206) is also disclosed which comprises the fabricated nanostructure.