Selective Peripheral Neuron Imaging Compound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging technologies face challenges in selectively visualizing peripheral neurons, particularly during surgical procedures, due to the lack of specific and effective imaging agents that can accurately target and highlight these neurons without causing unnecessary tissue uptake or background fluorescence.

Innovation Solution

Development of a compound, such as Hsp1a-ChL, which is selectively taken up by peripheral neurons, allowing for fluorescence emission and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) to visualize peripheral neurons by conjugating a chelator with a radionuclide and a fluorophore, enabling precise imaging during surgical procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional imaging agents are used, then general tissue imaging is possible, but selective visualization of peripheral neurons is poor due to lack of specificity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselectivity of peripheral neuron visualizationVSAvoidaccuracy of neuron targeting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging agent is designed with specific molecular characteristics that enable selective accumulation in peripheral neurons through the blood-nerve barrier, creating local specificity rather than uniform distribution. The compound's structural properties (lipophilicity, molecular weight, charge) are optimized to exploit physiological differences between neurons and other tissues, achieving localized imaging precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging compound acts as an intermediary that selectively binds to or accumulates in peripheral neurons, serving as a mediator between the imaging system and the target tissue. This intermediary function enables indirect visualization of neurons through their selective uptake and retention properties, rather than directly imaging neural structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If imaging agents with high tissue uptake are used, then signal intensity increases, but background fluorescence increases reducing image contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluorescence signal intensityVSAvoidimage contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compound achieves high fluorescence signal intensity specifically at the target site (peripheral neurons) while maintaining low background signal in surrounding tissues. This spatial differentiation of signal intensity is accomplished through selective neuronal uptake mechanisms, ensuring bright imaging only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging agent is designed to extract or selectively accumulate in peripheral neurons while excluding other tissue types. This selective extraction process concentrates the fluorescent signal in neurons, effectively separating the desired signal from background noise and enhancing image contrast.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If non-specific imaging agents are used, then general tissue visualization is achieved, but surgical margin identification accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeneral tissue visualizationVSAvoidsurgical margin identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging compound provides localized enhancement of peripheral neurons at surgical margins through selective accumulation, allowing surgeons to precisely identify tissue boundaries. The local concentration of the agent at neuron-rich interfaces (surgical margins) provides enhanced contrast exactly where precision is needed, while maintaining ease of general tissue visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 compound effectively accumulates in peripheral neurons, reducing background fluorescence and allowing for clear visualization of surgical margins, enhancing the accuracy of surgical interventions by providing real-time imaging of peripheral neurons through fluorescence and PET imaging.

Implementation Method 1

detecting positron emission, detecting gamma rays from positron emission and annihilation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositron emission: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

detecting gamma rays from positron emission and annihilation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnnihilation radiation: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 3

detecting Cerenkov radiation due to positron emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCerenkov radiation: Cherenkov Effect

Implementation Method 4

allowing for fluorescence emission and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence emission: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20230241259A1IMAGING COMPOUNDS SELECTIVE FOR NaV1.7

Publication Date: 2023.08.03 MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENT

AI summary

The present technology is directed to compounds useful in the imaging of peripheral neurons.