A method for early stage pathology detection, location, imaging, evaluation, and treatment of cells and/or extracellular vesicles in the circulation.

A method of imaging cancer stem cells comprises disposing a population of first ultrasound-switchable fluorophorms having a first switching threshold in the biological environment, the first ultrasound-switchable fluorophores being functionalized for attachment to a first biomarker expressed by the CSCs; disposing a population of second ultrasound-switchable fluorophorms having a second switching threshold in the biological environment, the second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores being functionalized for attachment to a second biomarker expressed by the CSCs; exposing the biological environment to an ultrasound beam to form an activation region; disposing one or more of the first and/or second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region to switch the first and/or second fluorophores from an off state to an on state; exciting the first and second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detecting light emitted by the first and second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for labeling cells using click chemistry reagents. The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide a specific and efficient means of localizing desired agents to a variety of cell types in vivo and in vitro.

Provided is a mitochondrial copper depleting strategy that exploits the potential vulnerability for this metabolic by cancer cells such as Triple Negative Breast Cancer cells. A nanoparticle is provided that comprises a self-reporting copper-depleting moiety (CDM) embedded in or on the matrix comprising a semi-conducting polymer and a phospholipid-polyethylene glycol (PEG). The positively charged copper-depleting complex targets mitochondria and deprives cytochrome c oxidase of its necessary copper co-factor. Inhibition of the electron transport chain complex IV compromises oxygen consumption and abrogates fatty acid oxidation, resulting in energy deficiency induced apoptosis of the targeted cancer cells. The copper-depleting nanoparticle can report the copper depleting status through multimodal optical signal changes while decreasing the copper level in tumors to inhibit tumor growth with low toxicity and significantly prolonged survival.

The invention pertains to an echolucent image enhancing hydrophobic, water-immiscible composition, wherein the composition turns echogenic when foamed with air or gas bubbles formed from mechanically inserting (i) air or gas; or (ii) aqueous solution with air or gas into the hydrophobic, water-immiscible composition. The invention also pertains to a foamed echogenic image enhancing hydrophobic, water-immiscible composition and optionally comprising aqueous solution forming a single-phase, said composition comprising air or gas bubbles retained in the composition, and wherein the volume ratio of aqueous solution:hydrophobic, water-immiscible composition is preferably in the range of between 0:100 (i.e. no aqueous solution) and 75:25, preferably between 0:100 and 60:40.

An acoustic coupling layer (20) is disclosed for acoustically coupling an ultrasound transducer (30, 60) to a body region (1), the acoustic coupling layer comprising a polar liquid absorbent polymer (24) embedded in an elastomer (22). Also disclosed are an ultrasound transducer, wearable patch and interface patch including such an acoustic coupling layer.

A method, device and system for ultrasonic delivery and attachment of ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents utilizing catch and slip bond mechanisms in a targeted part(s) of the human or animal (patient) body or organs or tissue is described and disclosed. The system includes an acoustic power source coupled to an acoustic transducer with the acoustic transducer placed upon a patient's delivery zone. The acoustic transducer transmits an acoustic field to the target drug delivery and/or imaging zone. A detection probe and/or a probe of an imaging system are placed over or within said delivery zone and the probe is coupled to a sensing/imaging system. A control computer that controls power and wave shape of the acoustic signal generated into the acoustic filed by the acoustic power source and receives data from the sensing/imaging system. This system utilizes catch and slip bonds for the delivery of drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents. Placing an acoustic transducer over a delivery zone having ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast agents. The method includes coupling an acoustic power source to said acoustic power source and installing a probe within or over said delivery zone. The probe is coupled to a sensing/imaging system. A control computer is used to control a power and a wave shape of the acoustic field generated by said acoustic transducer. The method uses a catch and slip bonds within said acoustic field to deliver ligand-receptor based drugs and/or drug carriers and/or image enhancing contrast.

A construct for detecting cellular membrane potential includes a nanoparticle operable as an electron donor; a modular peptide attached to the nanoparticle, the peptide comprising a nanoparticle association domain, a motif configured to mediate peptide insertion into the plasma membrane, and at least one attachment point for an electron acceptor positioned at a controlled distance from the nanoparticle; and an electron acceptor. The nanoparticle can be a quantum dot and the electron acceptor can be C.sub.60 fullerene. Photoacoustic emission from the construct correlates with cellular membrane potential.

A biopsy training device (100) is described. The device comprises a skin mimicking layer (102) and a fibroglandular tissue mimicking portion (104). The fibroglandular tissue mimicking portion comprises one or more lesion mimicking portions and is removably coupled to the skin mimicking layer. A tissue mimicking material, a mixture for forming a tissue mimicking material and a method of manufacturing a tissue mimicking material are also described.

A thermoacoustic imaging method comprises administering a thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent to a subject, the thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent having a viscosity higher than blood and substantially similar to a viscosity of a known computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent; and imaging the subject with a thermoacoustic imaging system. The thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent may comprise an ionic solution and thickening agent mixture, with an optional heating agent. The ionic salt makes 0.5% to 5.0% of the ionic solution by weight and the remainder of the ionic solution is water. The thickening agent makes 3% to 50% of the mixture by weight.