Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Contrast Agent for Liver Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current contrast agents for X-ray based imaging modalities have high nephrotoxicity, short circulation half-life, and rapid washout from the liver, making them unsuitable for accurate imaging and procedures requiring extended contrast presence.

Innovation Solution

Development of imaging media with a contrast agent, such as iodine-containing molecules, encapsulated within biodegradable nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are sized to avoid urinary excretion and are predominantly removed by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver, allowing for extended liver residence time and reduced renal toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current contrast agents are used for X-ray imaging, then imaging enhancement is achieved, but nephrotoxicity increases and circulation half-life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging enhancementVSAvoidnephrotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biodegradable polymer nanoparticles as an intermediary carrier to deliver iodine-based contrast agents. The nanoparticle matrix encapsulates the contrast agent, allowing controlled release and altering the excretion pathway from renal to hepatic-biliary, thereby reducing nephrotoxicity while maintaining imaging enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the contrast agent by encapsulating it in nanoparticles with specific size ranges (5-1000 nm). This size modification prevents glomerular filtration and redirects excretion through the liver, fundamentally changing the toxicological profile while preserving radiopacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If current contrast agents are administered, then contrast visibility is improved, but liver-residence time decreases due to rapid washout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast visibilityVSAvoidliver-residence time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable polymer nanoparticle acts as an intermediary that temporarily retains the contrast agent within the liver through reticuloendothelial system uptake. The nanoparticle matrix provides sustained release, extending liver-residence time from minutes to hours while maintaining contrast visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle design enables continuous release of contrast agent over extended periods (circulation half-life of 2-6 hours). This continuous presence in the liver allows prolonged imaging windows, eliminating the rapid washout problem of conventional agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Duration of action of moving object

If contrast injection is repeated to extend imaging time, then imaging duration increases, but nephrotoxicity and metabolic derangements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging durationVSAvoidnephrotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A single injection of nanoparticle-encapsulated contrast agent provides continuous imaging capability for 2-6 hours due to extended circulation half-life and controlled release kinetics. This eliminates the need for repeat injections and associated cumulative nephrotoxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle carrier mediates a fundamental shift in excretion kinetics, changing from rapid renal clearance requiring repeat dosing to sustained hepatic retention allowing single-dose extended imaging, thereby preventing cumulative nephrotoxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 imaging media achieves a longer circulation half-life and liver-residence time, enabling enhanced and prolonged visualization of target tissues during imaging and image-guided procedures, while minimizing renal toxicity.

Implementation Method 1

a contrast agent (e.g., iodine-containing molecules such as iohexol) encapsulated within a nanoparticle, in which the nanoparticle includes or is formed with a biodegradable polymer matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation:

Implementation Method 2

the nanoparticle includes or is formed with a biodegradable polymer matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

the particles are predominantly removed from circulation by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhagocytosis:

Data Source

PatentUS20250177577A1Radiopaque nanoparticles for medical imaging

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 TRANSLATIONAL & FUNDAMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure features imaging media including a contrast agent encapsulated within a biodegradable nanoparticle matrix. The particles are sized such that they avoid excretion via urinary excretion (e.g., at least 5 nm in diameter) during an imaging procedure or an image-guided procedure. Instead, the particles are predominantly removed from circulation by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver. This results in a buildup of contrast agent in the liver, allowing for a highly specific imaging modality for liver imaging. Further, the bulk of the imaging media is excreted into the bowel, reducing in-vivo toxicity of the imaging media. Finally, because of their size, the nanoparticles of the imaging media have a higher circulation half-life.