Biomaterials suitable for use as drug eluting, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) detectable implants for vascular occlusion are provided, as are methods of producing such biomaterials. Further, methods of treating an individual suffering from a solid tumor are provided.

An apparatus for fixing an instrument within the intestinal canal, according to the present invention, is a fixing apparatus for surrounding, from outside the intestinal canal, and fixing an instrument that is installed within the intestinal canal for protecting an anastomotic site after a resection surgery of a tube-type organ, characterized in that the apparatus for fixing an instrument within the intestinal canal has a band-shaped body having predetermined thickness and width, wherein the body is formed of a biodegradable (absorbent) material or a non-absorbent material, which does not react with foreign bodies in the human body, wherein the body has a low elongation rate in the length direction thereof, and wherein both edges of the body in the width direction thereof are processed so as to have a flexible form so that when the edges come in contact with an outer surface of the intestinal canal, injuries are not made to the outer surface of the intestinal canal.

The present invention describes an X-ray contrast composition for local administration, wherein the X-ray contrast composition exhibits contrast properties and wherein at least 60% of an administrated amount of said X-ray contrast composition remains more than 24 hours within 10 cm from an injection point when the X-ray contrast composition is administrated to a human or animal body.

The invention provides a novel class of clearable, tumor-targeting and human protein-based MRI nanoprobes and contrast agents and their compositions, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

A method of synthesizing a radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method includes heating a solution including an iron oxide nanoparticle and at least one radioactive metal ion to bind the iron oxide nanoparticle and the at least one radioactive metal ion, thereby forming the radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method further includes adding a quenching agent to the solution to complex with non-bound radioactive metal ions remaining in the solution. The method further includes separating the complexed quenching agent from the radiolabeled nanoparticle.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of detecting cells characteristic of disease, determining a measure of the number of cells characteristic of disease present, and determining the location of cells characteristic of disease. The effect of nanoparticles on magnetic fields can be used to determine the location of a disease, and a measure of the number of cells characteristic of the disease. This location and measure can be used to guide therapy, and provide information regarding the most effective therapy to be applied.

Provided are aromatic compounds, phospholipid-polymer-aromatic conjugates comprising the aromatic compounds, and liposome compositions including the phospholipid-polymer-aromatic conjugates. The liposomal compositions may be useful for imaging of Alzheimer's Disease, for example, imaging of the amyloid- plaque deposits characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease.

The theranostic biocompatible microcapsules provided are efficient contrast enhanced imaging agents that combine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with ultrasound-triggered drug release for real-time tracking and targeted delivery in vivo. The capsules are assembled via layer-by-layer deposition of the natural polyphenol tannic acid and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) with iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated in the capsule wall. The nanoparticle-modified capsules exhibit enhanced T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 MRI contrast in a clinical MRI scanner. Loaded with the an anticancer drug such as doxorubicin the capsules circulate in the blood stream for at least 48 hours, an improvement compared to non-encapsulated nanoparticles. High-intensity focused ultrasound results in targeted drug release with a 16-fold increase in the pharmacologically active agent localization in tumors compared to off-target organs. Owing to the active contrast, long circulation, customizable size, shape, composition, and precise delivery of high payload concentrations, these materials present an improved platform for imaging-guided precision drug delivery.

The present invention relates to a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, in which the contrast agent comprises: a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein each magnetic nanoparticle comprises a core covered at least in part with a layer of metal, wherein the core and the layer of metal are comprised of different materials; and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.