An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

The present invention relates to nitroxide imaging probes that are isotopically modified or unmodified. Such nitroxide imaging probes may be included in liposomes that encapsulate self-quenching concentrations thereof, wherein the liposomes optionally comprise a targeting ligand specific to and having affinity for targeted tissue.

A kit for calibrating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes as well as a device for calibrating a MRI system using the kit. Further, a method for calibrating a MRI system employing the kit as well as to an entity comprising a defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes to be used in the calibration of a MRI system.

Disclosed are methods, compositions, reagents, systems, and kits to prepare nitroxide-functionalized brush-arm star polymer organic radical contrast agent (BASP-ORCA) as well as compositions and uses thereof. Various embodiments show that BASP-ORCA display unprecedented per-nitroxide and per-molecule transverse relaxivities for organic radical contrast agents, exceptional stability, high water solubility, low in vitro and in vivo toxicity, and long blood compartment half-life. These materials have the potential to be adopted for tumor imaging using clinical high-field .sup.1H MRI techniques.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of detecting disease, methods of treating disease using targeted hyperthermia, methods of treating disease using targeted chemical agents, methods of treating disease comprising accurate measurements of the efficacy of treatments. 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. The same nanoparticles can be used to facilitate hyperthermia treatments, and to allow targeted application of chemical therapeutic agents.

A rod-shaped plant virus having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and at least one imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface is described. The rod-shaped viruses can be combined into larger spherical nanoparticles. A rod-shaped plant virus or spherical nanoparticles including an imaging agent can be used in a method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject such as a tumor or atherosclerotic tissue by administering the virus particle to the subject and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the virus particle has been distributed.

This invention provides methods for achieving high-specificity killing of targeted cells using Magneto-Electric Nano-Particles (MENPs). Embodiments comprise injecting into a patients body manufactured MENPs that have a higher tendency to accumulate near or attach to targeted cells through one or more physical forces and/or biological mechanisms; and applying a magnetic field to the MENPs to generate actions that are sufficient to cause death of the targeted cells.

A method of preparing a coated nanoparticle can include decomposing a compound to produce a nanoparticle, oxidizing the nanoparticle to produce an oxidized nanoparticle, and coating the oxidized nanoparticle with a zwitterionic ligand to produce the coated nanoparticle. The coated nanoparticle or the nanoparticle can be used in magnetic resonance imaging.

The invention relates to a novel use of ultrafine nanoparticles as an imaging agent in a method for diagnosing a renal disorder. The invention also relates to the use of ultrafine nanoparticles as an imaging agent in methods for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of a renal disorder treatment.

Microneedle patches have been developed that can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic agents and/or dyes to the skin. The microneedles encapsulate the agent(s) to be delivered. These are formed of a biodegradable polymer that dissolves upon insertion into skin or tissue, so that the microneedles break off from the substrate forming the patch, remaining in the skin/tissue at the site of insertion. The patches are used to create a tattoo or to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent in combination with a tattoo. In one embodiment, the microneedle patch contains both vaccine and dye pigments to administer vaccine and record such administration in one application of the microneedle patch.