Curable composition and method for implantation

A brachytherapy strand consisting of:

• a biocompatible curable composition;
• and
• a radio-isotope seed;
• wherein the biocompatible curable composition comprises:
• an organic polymer comprising at least one hydrolysable or non-hydrolysable functional group selected from a silane and an isocyanate;
• a solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane and toluene;
• and
• a metallic nanoparticle, wherein the metallic nanoparticle is at least one of a manganese-based nanoparticle and a gadolinium-based nanoparticle, is dispersed in the organic polymer and the solvent at a weight percent relative to the total weight of the biocompatible curable composition of 0.1% to 30%, and is visible by MRI;
• and
• wherein the biocompatible curable composition is in the form of an elongated cylinder and crosslinks upon contact with an aqueous solution or moisture to form a three-dimensional cured nanocomposite having the radio-isotope seed embedded in the three-dimensional cured nanocomposite.

A method of detecting a border of a tumor, a tissue of interest, or both comprising:

• injecting a biocompatible curable composition into a subject and contacting the biocompatible curable composition with the border of a tumor, a tissue of interest, or both, wherein the biocompatible curable composition crosslinks upon exposure to an aqueous solution or moisture to form a three-dimensional cured nanocomposite, which is covalently bonded to the border of the tumor, the tissue of interest, or both;
• and
• imaging the three-dimensional cured nanocomposite by at least one of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and X-ray, wherein the border of the tumor, the tissue of interest, or both is detected;
• wherein the biocompatible curable composition comprises:
• an organic polymer comprising at least one hydrolysable functional group selected from the group consisting of a silane and an isocyanate;
• a solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane and toluene;
• and
• a metallic nanoparticle, wherein the metallic nanoparticle is at least one of a manganese-based nanoparticle and a gadolinium-based nanoparticle, and is dispersed in the organic polymer and the solvent at a weight percent relative to the total weight of the biocompatible curable composition of 0.1% to 30%.