Nanoparticle heating and applications thereof
OwnerKimberly Hamad-Schifferli, Andy Wijayainventors
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Abstract
This invention provides magnetic nanoparticles, which when placed in a magnetic field are selectively heated at a certain frequency of the magnetic field, as a function of their size, composition, or both. The invention also provides for use of such nanoparticles, in applications including, inter alia, selective nanoparticle heating and applications thereof, hyperthermia induction in cells or tissue, remote alteration of protein structure and/or drug delivery.
Claims30
A method of selective heating of at least one magnetic nanoparticle in a composition comprising a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles, said method comprising the step of exposing said composition to a magnetic field, whereby said at least one nanoparticle emits greater heat upon exposure to said magnetic field, at a defined frequency, than another nanoparticle in said plurality.
The method of claim I, wherein said nanoparticles comprise CoFe2O4, Fe3O4, Fe2O3, or a combination thereof.
A method for inducing hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting said cell or tissue with a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein at least one nanoparticle in said plurality emits greater heat upon exposure to a magnetic field, at a defined frequency, than another nanoparticle in said plurality;
- and
- b. exposing said cell or tissue to a magnetic field, at said defined frequency.
A method for remotely altering the structure of at least one protein in a plurality of proteins, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. linking magnetic nanoparticles with said proteins, wherein at least one nanoparticle in said plurality emits greater heat upon exposure to a magnetic field, at a defined frequency, than another nanoparticle in said plurality;
- and
- b. exposing said plurality of proteins to a magnetic field, at said defined frequency.
- whereby said exposing results in an altering of the structure of said protein.
A method for drug delivery in a subject, comprising the steps of:
- a. encapsulating a drug in structures comprising magnetic nanoparticles, wherein at least one nanoparticle among said nanoparticles emits greater heat upon exposure to a magnetic field, at a defined frequency, than another nanoparticle;
- b. exposing said structures to a magnetic field, at said defined frequency;
- and
- c. administering said structures to a subject;
- whereby said exposing results in an altering of said structures such that said drug is released in said subject.
A composition comprising a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein at least one nanoparticle of said plurality of nanoparticles emits greater heat upon exposure to a magnetic field, at a defined frequency, than another nanoparticle in said plurality.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.