Carbon Nanohorn Aggregate Encapsulation for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon nanohorn aggregates for MRI contrast media and metal fine particle encapsulation face issues with substance elution and insufficient ferromagnetic properties, leading to instability and ineffective targeting or contrast effects.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating substances within carbon nanohorns with controlled openings, stabilized through heat treatment using surrounding impurity carbon or self-deformation, to aggregate and isolate the substance in the central part, enhancing chemical stability and magnetic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sheath of nanohorns is kept open to support contrast substances, then the substance can be introduced and exhibited, but the substance may elute or change properties in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming openings in the carbon nanohorn sheath before introducing the contrast substance, allowing controlled access during manufacturing while maintaining stability during application. The openings are created at specific stages to enable substance loading without compromising subsequent stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized openings in specific regions of the nanohorn sheath rather than making the entire structure open. This allows the contrast substance to be introduced at designated access points while the rest of the sheath remains intact to provide protection and prevent elution.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal fine particles are encapsulated near the tip of nanohorns, then encapsulation is achieved, but ferromagnetism is not satisfactorily exhibited and targeting is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating metal fine particles in the central region of the nanohorn aggregate rather than dispersing them at the tips. This localized concentration in the central region enables sufficient ferromagnetic properties to be exhibited, allowing the material to respond to magnetic fields for targeting applications.
3Ease of manufacture
If metal fine particles are dispersed in the tip of sheath in nanosize, then encapsulation is achieved, but no sufficient contrast effect can be expected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating contrast substances in the central region of the nanohorn aggregate rather than dispersing them at the tips. This localized concentration creates sufficient contrast effect for MRI applications, as the central region provides optimal conditions for contrast enhancement.
4Ease of manufacture
If encapsulated substance is in nanosize dispersed form, then encapsulation is achieved, but the substance elutes or changes properties in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a distinct central region within the nanohorn aggregate where encapsulated substances are concentrated and protected. This central region provides a stable environment that prevents elution and property changes, while the surrounding sheath structure provides additional protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by creating a hierarchical structure where the carbon nanohorn sheath encapsulates the central region, which in turn contains the encapsulated substance. This nested arrangement provides multiple levels of protection, enhancing the stability of the encapsulated substance against elution and property changes.
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 solution provides a stable, chemically robust carbon nanohorn aggregate that prevents substance elution and enhances magnetic properties, enabling effective targeting and contrast medium applications.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon nanohorn having an opening formed by oxidization
Implementation Method 2
with closing the opening by a heat treatment using surrounding impurity carbon or by self deformation
Implementation Method 3
closing the opening by a heat treatment using surrounding impurity carbon or by self deformation
Implementation Method 4
the encapsulated substance is aggregated and stabilized in the central part of the carbon nanohorn aggregate
Data Source
AI summary
A substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate which has improved chemical stability by isolating the encapsulated substance from outside and which is useful as a targeting material which can be led from the outside of the body or as a contrast medium by holding the encapsulated substance in an aggregated form, and a process for producing the same are provided. The substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate is characterized in that the encapsulated substance is aggregated in a central part of the carbon nanohorn aggregate or a neighborhood thereof with being isolated from outside. The process includes aggregating a substance to be encapsulated in a central part or a neighborhood thereof by a heat treatment.