# US 2014/0193331 A1 · Multifunctional infrared-emitting composites > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193331 A1 - Document ID: US20140193331A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/115,752 - Filed: 2012-05-07 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-06 - Assignees: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Inventors: Dominik J. Naczynski; Mei-Chee Tan; Richard E. Riman; Charles Roth; Prabhas V. Moghe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193331A1 ## CPC - A61K 49/0065: {the luminescent/fluorescent agent having itself a special physical form, e.g. gold nanoparticle} - A61B 5/0075: {by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (A61B5/0071 takes precedence)} - A61K 49/0019: {characterised by the fluorescent group, e.g. oligomeric, polymeric or dendritic molecules} - A61K 49/0093: {Nanoparticle, nanocapsule, nanobubble, nanosphere, nanobead, i.e. having a size or diameter smaller than 1 micrometer, e.g. polymeric nanoparticle} - A61B 6/481: {involving the use of contrast agents} - A61B 6/5247: {combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound} - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising the steps of: (a) administering a composition comprising infrared-emitting particles comprising rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, wherein said particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, wherein both excitation and emission spectra of said encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of image guided biomedical intervention, comprising the non-invasive infrared imaging method of claim 1. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method of drug tracking and delivery, comprising the non-invasive infrared imaging method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a drug. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible matrix comprises human serum albumin (HSA). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible matrix further comprises a pharmaceutical agent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible matrix further comprises one or more targeting molecules which direct said encapsulated particle to a biological target. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said particles are nanoparticles. ### Claim 8 A method of improving the biocompatibility and/or reducing the toxicity and/or side effects of a drug and/or imaging agent, or a method of biologically targeting a drug and/or imaging agent, comprising the step of encapsulating said drug and/or imaging agent with a biocompatible matrix. ### Claim at position 9 -11. (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said biocompatible matrix further comprises one or more targeting molecules which direct said drug and/or imaging agent to a biological target. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said targeting molecule comprises cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) tripeptide, ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise CeF3 doped with one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of Yb, Nd, Tm, Er, Pr, Dy and Ho. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said particles further comprise one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Gd, La, Ce, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Lu. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising multi-modal detection selected from optical/MRI, or optical/PET with a radiolabel. ### Claim 18 A composition for biomedical applications, comprising infrared-emitting particles comprising rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, wherein said particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said biocompatible matrix comprises human serum albumin (HSA). ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said biocompatible matrix further comprises a pharmaceutical agent. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said hiocompatible matrix further comprises one or more targeting molecules which direct said encapsulated particle to a biological target. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said particles are nanoparticles. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said particles comprise CeF3 doped with one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of Yb, Nd, Tm, Er, Pr, Dy and Ho. ### Claim 24 (canceled) ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, wherein said particles further comprise one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Gd, La, Ce, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Lu.