In the present disclosure, embodiments include flaring tip microcatheters, methods of deploying flaring tip microcatheters, and embolization treatment methods. The flaring tip microcatheter may include a hollow shaft having a shaft lumen defined therein, a core disposed within the shaft lumen, and a tip including at least two petals affixed to a distal end of the core, the at least two petals including at least two wires wherein the core is hollow and defines a core lumen. The at least two wires may be configured to pull the at least two petals to form a flared configuration of the tip. The flared configuration of the tip may allow for laminar flow of a therapeutic agent distally from the tip.

A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands.

Disclosed are radionuclide microspheres and a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The radionuclide microspheres include at least one or more radionuclides and are microspheres loading the radionuclides. The preparation method includes: by using an improved emulsion polymerization process, forming a prepolymer intermediate by a structural monomer, a functional monomer, and a vinyl crosslinker; adding one or more radionuclides for coordination polymerization with the prepolymer intermediate to form nuclear particles; and adding one or more small molecule monomers or high molecular materials for secondary polymerization to obtain the radioactive microspheres. The radionuclide microspheres are negatively charged porous microspheres which can load both chemotherapeutic drugs and polypeptide biological drugs. The microspheres may be implanted via vascular intervention and percutaneous puncture and may be used for treating solid malignant tumors such as liver cancer and lung cancer.

In the present disclosure, embodiments of microbead containment systems and containment methods are disclosed. The microbead containment system may include a microsphere container, which includes walls that define a containment space in the microsphere container, and microspheres within the containment space. The walls may include at least one magnetic component configured to produce a magnetic field within the containment space. The microspheres may include a diamagnetic material. The method of containing radioactive microspheres may include loading a plurality of microspheres comprising a diamagnetic material in a container comprising one or more magnetic components. The microspheres contained in the microsphere container interact with the magnetic field in a manner that prevents direct contact of the microspheres and the microsphere container.

Disclosed is a composition including magnetic nanoparticles for use in the treatment of a tissue volume including pathological cells in an individual, wherein a portion only of the tissue volume is occupied by the magnetic nanoparticles upon administration of the composition to the individual and the magnetic nanoparticles are excited by radiations.

This invention relates to low density radioactive magnesium-aluminum-silicate (MAS) microparticles for radiotherapy and/or radioimaging.

The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer. The nanoparticle has a range of diameters including between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm, between about 0.5 nm and about 50 nm, between about 1 nm and about 25 nm, between about 1 nm and about 15 nm, or between about 1 nm and about 8 nm. The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound. The nanoparticle also exhibits high biostability and biocompatibility. To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo. In order to target a specific cell type, the nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand, which is capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker. In one embodiment, a therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle. To permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by not only optical fluorescence imaging, but also other imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computerized tomography (CT), bioluminescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MM), radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle.

The present invention relates to a pH sensitive particle, a method of preparation thereof, and a use thereof. More particularly, the invention provides a pH sensitive metal nanoparticle and its use for medical treatment utilizing cell necrosis during photothermal therapy. The pH sensitive metal nanoparticle based on this invention consists of a pH sensitive ligand compound whose charge changes depending on the pH of the metal nanoparticle. The particle can be collected in cells, such as cancer cells which present an abnormal pH environment. The pH sensitive metal nanoparticle based on this invention can induce cell death through a photothermal procedure after aggregation. Therefore, the invention enables medical treatment using cell necrosis for e.g. cancer treatment.

This invention relates to low density radioactive magnesium-aluminum-silicate (MAS) microparticles for radiotherapy and/or radioimaging.

The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as polyethylene glycol) (PEG) The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo The nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker A therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle Radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle to permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by various imaging techniques.