The present invention relates to magnetic single-core nanoparticles, in particular stable dispersible magnetic single-core nanoparticles (e.g. single-core magnetite nanoparticles) having a diameter between 20 and 200 nm in varied morphology, and the continuous aqueous synthesis thereof, in particular using micromixers. The method is simple, quick and cost-effective to perform and is carried out without organic solvents. The single-core nanoparticles produced by the method form stable dispersions in aqueous media, i.e. not having a tendency to assemble or aggregate. In addition, the method offers the possibility of producing anisotropic, super-paramagnetic, plate-shaped nanoparticles which, due to their shape anisotrophy, are extremely suitable for use in polymer matrices for magnet field-controlled release of active substances.

The invention relates to a conjugate which comprises an MRI contrast agent component comprising a nanoparticle, which nanoparticle comprises a metal or a metal compound, and a hypoxia targeting moiety which is conjugated to the MRI contrast agent component, especially wherein said nanoparticle comprises iron oxide and a biocompatible coating and wherein said hypoxia targeting moiety is a nitroimidazole. Also provided is the use of a said conjugate in a method of imaging a subject, a method of de-testing hypoxia, and a method of evaluating the activity of a pharmaceutical. Said conjugate is also of use in diagnosis.

A method for preparing chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization includes forming ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles by co-precipitation and coating the nanoparticles with chitosan in the presence of glutaraldehyde. The Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 nanoparticles can be coated by dispersing ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles into a solution comprising chitosan and acetic acid, adding a surfactant, adding excess 50% glutaraldehyde solution, and washing the nanoparticles with a solvent. The chitosan coated ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles can be used to immobilize proteins or other biomolecules.

The present invention provides methods for detecting an enzymatic activity, the method including combining at least one magnetic particle to an enzyme substrate to form a magnetically modified substrate, reacting the magnetically modified substrate with at least one enzyme; and detecting a change in a magnetic property of the magnetically modified substrate or its cleavage products, thereby detecting an activity of said at least one enzyme, wherein the method may be applied to a human subject to detect a disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatitis, arthritis, an injury, Dupuytren's disease, Peyronie's disease, a collagen related disease, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, metastasis, tissue regeneration, cancer, coronary disease, a liver disease, a metabolic condition, an infection and an inflammatory disease.

A nanotheranostic probe and its use to facilitate diagnoses, treatment and targeting of amyloid deposits are disclosed herein.

The present disclosure is generally directed to an embolic material which, in some examples, may be in the form of a microsphere or a plurality of microspheres. The embolic material may include carboxymethyl chitosan (CCN) crosslinked with partially oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC) and an imaging agent such as at least one of an ethiodized oil, a radiopaque metal, or super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles integrally contained within the microsphere.

Provided are compositions for rapid detection of lymph nodes. The compositions include magnetic particles, such as iron oxide, and a solute present in an amount that results in a hypoosomotic solution. Methods for detecting lymph nodes also are provided.

A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10.sup.6/ C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

The invention provides systems and methods for providing a diagnostic examination to a patient, including, but not limited to a determination of the permeability of a patients' body cavity.

A method for preparing chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization includes forming ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles by co-precipitation and coating the nanoparticles with chitosan in the presence of glutaraldehyde. The Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 nanoparticles can be coated by dispersing ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles into a solution comprising chitosan and acetic acid, adding a surfactant, adding excess 50% glutaraldehyde solution, and washing the nanoparticles with a solvent. The chitosan coated ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles can be used to immobilize proteins or other biomolecules.