Biocompatible imaging particles, their synthesis and use in imaging techniques

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel biocompatible imaging particles comprising superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) assembled into submicromiter-sized clusters within a biodegradable polycathecolamine or polyserotonine matrix, their synthesis and use in imaging techniques. These particles overcome the issues of toxicity and unreliable signal of the molecules from the prior art by providing similar contrast to that of the microparticles of iron oxide and rapidly disassemble into isolated SPIO particles once they reach the acidic lysosomal compartment of the MPS cells, thus enabling their digestion. The present invention is thus directed to a particle having a hydrodynamic diameter comprised between 100 nm and 2000 nm, said particle comprising nanoparticles of iron oxide embedded within a matrix of polycathecolamine or polyserotonine, each of said nanoparticles of iron oxide being coated by a polymer which is different from polycathecolamine or polyserotonine

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.