Renal Excretion Fluorescence Contrast Agent Tumor Specificity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current near infrared fluorescence contrast agents face challenges in achieving a high signal-to-background ratio during tumor imaging due to poor in vivo distribution and excretion properties, leading to strong background signals that obscure tumor visualization.
Innovation Solution
A renal excretion-type fluorescence contrast agent with a compound that emits fluorescence in the near infrared region, specifically designed to reach a stable equilibrium state in intravascular or extravascular spaces and be efficiently excreted via renal filtration, reducing non-specific binding and enhancing tumor-specific targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional phosphors are used for fluorescence imaging, then optical imaging can be performed, but strong background signals are generated due to hepatic removal and gastrointestinal tract fluorescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the excretion route parameter from hepatic/biliary to renal by modifying the phosphor compound structure and its interaction with biological systems. This parameter change shifts the clearance pathway from the liver (which causes gastrointestinal background fluorescence) to the kidneys (which enable renal excretion without gastrointestinal background), thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining fluorescence signal and avoiding background interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic hepatic clearance pathway and replaces it with renal clearance. By designing phosphor compounds that are specifically excreted through the kidneys rather than the liver, the harmful gastrointestinal background fluorescence is eliminated while maintaining the desired tumor-targeting fluorescence signal
2Reliability
If conventional phosphors are used, then fluorescence imaging is possible, but in vivo distribution and excretion properties are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the excretion parameter from inefficient hepatic clearance to efficient renal filtration. By designing phosphor compounds with appropriate molecular weight, charge, and structural characteristics that favor glomerular filtration, the patent achieves rapid and complete renal excretion, thereby improving both imaging reliability and substance clearance efficiency
3Length of moving object
If near infrared phosphors are used for deep tissue imaging, then tissue penetration is improved, but non-specific binding increases causing reduced imaging resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating heterogeneous charge distribution on the phosphor surface with positive and negative patches. This local charge heterogeneity enables specific electrostatic interactions with tumor cell surfaces while reducing non-specific binding to normal tissues, thereby maintaining high imaging resolution despite deep tissue penetration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the surface charge parameter of the phosphor compound to achieve balanced electrostatic interactions. By adjusting the density and distribution of charged groups on the phosphor surface, the patent enhances tumor-specific binding while minimizing non-specific background binding, thus resolving the contradiction between penetration depth and imaging resolution
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 agent achieves a high signal-to-background ratio, enabling high-resolution imaging of tumors with reduced background noise, facilitating effective image-guided surgery by selectively targeting and visualizing tumors with improved in vivo distribution and excretion properties.
Implementation Method 1
Fluorescence imaging is a method of labeling a cell, tissue, or living body with a fluorescent substance that absorbs light with a specific wavelength from the outside to emit light with a longer wavelength
Implementation Method 2
whose remaining materials can be excreted out of the body by renal filtration after reaching target tissues and organs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tumor-specific fluorescence contrast agent. Specifically, the present invention relates to: a renal excretion-type fluorescence contrast agent which can exhibit a high signal-to-background ratio when optically observing tumor tissues and cells using a fluorescence imaging device for image-guided surgery; and an imaging method using the same.