Radiopaque nanoparticles for medical imaging

Abstract

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.