An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.

An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.

A marker delivery device includes an elongated delivery cannula which has a distal end section, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in the distal end section in communication with the inner lumen. A plunger is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The plunger has a distal end. At least one elongated fibrous marker body is pre-formed prior to being inserted into the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The at least one elongated fibrous marker body is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula at a location distal to the distal end of the plunger. The pre-formed at least one elongated fibrous marker body includes a fibrous material compressed and impregnated with a binding agent and freeze dried in the compressed condition. A releasable plug is disposed within a distal portion of the inner lumen and distal to the at least one elongated fibrous marker body.

A marker delivery device includes an elongated delivery cannula which has a distal end section, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in the distal end section in communication with the inner lumen. A plunger is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The plunger has a distal end. At least one elongated fibrous marker body is pre-formed prior to being inserted into the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The at least one elongated fibrous marker body is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula at a location distal to the distal end of the plunger. The pre-formed at least one elongated fibrous marker body includes a fibrous material compressed and impregnated with a binding agent and freeze dried in the compressed condition. A releasable plug is disposed within a distal portion of the inner lumen and distal to the at least one elongated fibrous marker body.

Nanoparticles, compositions, and methods are disclosed for manufacturing and using the nanoparticles and compositions for cellular tracking, drug encapsulation, and biologic tracking.

The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imagable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.

Nanoparticulate material suitable for administration to a subject, the nanoparticulate material having bound to its surface: (a) copolymeric steric stabiliser that promotes dispersion of the nanoparticulate material in a liquid, wherein the copolymeric steric stabiliser comprises (i) an anchoring polymer segment having one or more binding groups that bind the copolymeric steric stabiliser to the nanoparticulate material, and (ii) a steric stabilising polymer segment that is different from the anchoring polymer segment, and (b) copolymeric mapping moiety comprising (i) an anchoring polymer segment having one or more binding groups that bind the copolymeric mapping moiety to the nanoparticulate material, (ii) one or more mapping groups comprising an agent that specifically binds to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), and (iii) a coupling polymer segment that is different to the anchoring polymer segment, wherein the coupling polymer segment couples the anchoring polymer segment to the one or more mapping groups.

Methods of and systems for making a hyperpolarized fluid are provided, which include exposing a fluid and parahydrogen to a catalyst. The hyperpolarized fluid can be introduced to a subject. The hyperpolarized fluid can be included in methods of imaging a subject. Also provided are methods that use the hyperpolarized fluids for detecting protein ligand interactions and for enhancing the NMR signals of biopolymers having chemically exchangeable protons.

The present invention discloses a magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle, and a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. The magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle contains ferroferric oxide and a hydrophilic macromolecule, wherein the ferroferric oxide and the hydrophilic macromolecule are in at least one of the following relationships (1) and (2): (1) the hydrophilic macromolecule is adsorbed on the surface of the ferroferric oxide; and (2) the ferroferric oxide and the hydrophilic macromolecule are in the state of mutual embedding or occlusion. In the present invention, the hydrophilic macromolecule is used as a stabilizer, and ferrous ions and ferric ions form the magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle by means of coprecipitation; and the magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle has a relatively high longitudinal magnetic relaxation rate r.sub.1, a relatively low transverse/longitudinal magnetic relaxation rate ratio (r.sub.2/r.sub.1), good water solubility, high stability, and good biocompatibility, and can be used as a contrast agent for T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve the contrast and sensitivity of MRI.

The present invention discloses a magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle, and a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. The magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle contains ferroferric oxide and a hydrophilic macromolecule, wherein the ferroferric oxide and the hydrophilic macromolecule are in at least one of the following relationships (1) and (2): (1) the hydrophilic macromolecule is adsorbed on the surface of the ferroferric oxide; and (2) the ferroferric oxide and the hydrophilic macromolecule are in the state of mutual embedding or occlusion. In the present invention, the hydrophilic macromolecule is used as a stabilizer, and ferrous ions and ferric ions form the magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle by means of coprecipitation; and the magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticle has a relatively high longitudinal magnetic relaxation rate r.sub.1, a relatively low transverse/longitudinal magnetic relaxation rate ratio (r.sub.2/r.sub.1), good water solubility, high stability, and good biocompatibility, and can be used as a contrast agent for T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve the contrast and sensitivity of MRI.