Sprayable NIR Nerve Contrast Composition for Tumor Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-infrared contrast agents lack specificity for nerve tissue, making it difficult to distinguish nerves from surrounding tissues and tumors during surgery, leading to potential nerve damage and high morbidity and mortality.
Innovation Solution
A nerve-targeted contrast agent composition that absorbs near-infrared wavelengths of 700-800 nm, specifically binding to myelin, combined with a tumor-targeted agent for dual-channel imaging using a sprayable or dyed gauze method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional near-infrared contrast agents are used to image nerve tissue, then imaging capability is provided, but specificity for nerve tissue is low making it difficult to distinguish nerves from surrounding tissues and tumors
Solution Approach 1:
The contrast agent is designed with specific chemical properties (positive charge, hydrophobicity) that enable selective accumulation in nerve tissues through interaction with myelin and neuronal membranes, while avoiding binding to surrounding tissues and tumors. This local specificity is achieved through molecular design rather than general tissue affinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a novel contrast agent composition that acts as an intermediary substance between the imaging system and nerve tissue. This agent specifically binds to nerve components (myelin, neuronal membranes) and provides enhanced signal in the near-infrared region, enabling clear differentiation of nerves from tumors and surrounding tissues.
2Measurement precision
If conventional contrast agents with high absorption characteristics are used, then tumor tissue imaging is improved, but nerve tissue differentiation is compromised due to lack of specific absorption characteristics for nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The contrast agent utilizes near-infrared wavelength absorption (700-850 nm) which provides superior penetration depth and reduced scattering in tissues compared to visible light. The agent's molecular structure is designed to absorb specifically at these wavelengths, changing the optical parameters to achieve better nerve visualization while maintaining high signal-to-background ratio.
3Duration of action of moving object
If intravenous nerve-targeted compounds are administered, then nerve imaging is possible, but absorption and scattering in tissues are high and residence times in nerves are short
Solution Approach 1:
The contrast agent is designed to passively accumulate in nerve tissues through pre-existing physiological characteristics (positive charge attraction to negatively charged myelin, hydrophobicity favoring lipid-rich nerve environments) before active clearance occurs. This preliminary accumulation extends residence time by reducing rapid washout while minimizing non-specific tissue binding.
4Illumination intensity
If visible light fluorophores are used for nerve imaging, then nerve visualization is achieved, but endogenous tissue autofluorescence in the visible light range limits in vivo use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from visible light imaging to near-infrared imaging, moving to a different spectral dimension where endogenous tissue autofluorescence is minimal. The contrast agent is optimized for near-infrared emission (700-850 nm), a wavelength range where biological tissues have low background fluorescence, thereby enhancing the signal-to-background ratio and enabling clear nerve visualization.
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
Enhances nerve-tissue specificity and visibility, allowing precise differentiation from tumors and other tissues, reducing nerve damage during surgery through improved imaging guidance.
Implementation Method 1
near-infrared fluorescent contrast agent composition
Implementation Method 2
absorbs a wavelength of 700 nanometers (nm) in a near-infrared (NIR) region
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a contrast agent composition capable of specifically staining a nerve tissue, and the like. The composition has the affinity for myelin to specifically stain a nerve tissue compared to other tissues, has a wavelength in a near-infrared (NIR) region of 700 nm, and may stably emit fluorescence in vivo, and thus may be usefully used for real-time fluorescence imaging compared to other tissues.