Nanocarriers for imaging and therapy applications

Abstract

Nanocarriers and methods of preparation and use of nanocarriers are presented. In some embodiments, a nanocarrier composition comprises an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein; and a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid. Biological tissue may be imaged or treated by coming into contact with a nanocarrier composition, and, at least in some embodiments, irradiated.

1 . A nanocarrier contrast agent comprising:
 an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein; and   a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid to form a nanocarrier with a size of between 10 nanometers and about 10 micrometers, wherein the organic liquid undergoes at least partial vaporization upon application of energy to the nanocarrier.   
     
     
         2 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 1 , wherein the organic liquid comprises a perfluorocarbon. 
     
     
         3 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 2 , wherein the perfluorocarbon comprises dodecafluoropentane or perfluoropentane. 
     
     
         4 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent, a gene component or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 1 , wherein the coating material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: albumin, a polymer, a lipid, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 1 , further comprising a targeting moiety. 
     
     
         7 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 6 , wherein the targeting moiety comprises at least one targeting moiety selected from the group consisting of: an antibody, an antibody fragment, a peptide sequence, aptamer, folate, a ligand, a gene component, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The nanocarrier contrast agent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprise at least one nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of: a silver nanoparticle, a gold nanoparticle, an iron oxide nanoparticle, a cobalt nanoparticle, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An imaging system comprising:
 a nanocarrier contrast agent composition comprising:
 an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein, and 
 a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid, wherein 
 the organic liquid, when located in a biological tissue to be imaged, is operable to at least partially vaporize upon application of energy to the tissue, allowing imaging of the tissue. 
   
     
     
         26 . The imagining system of  claim 25 , wherein the nanocarrier has a size between 10 nanometers and 10 micrometers. 
     
     
         27 . The imaging system of  claim 25 , wherein the organic liquid comprises a perfluorocarbon. 
     
     
         28 . The imaging system of  claim 25 , wherein the coating material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: albumin, a polymer, a lipid, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The imaging system of  claim 25 , further comprising a targeting moiety. 
     
     
         30 . The imaging system of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprise at least one nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of: a silver nanoparticle, a gold nanoparticle, an iron oxide nanoparticle, a cobalt nanoparticle, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The imaging system of  claim 25 , wherein the nanocarrier contrast agent further comprises a therapeutic agent and wherein application of energy to the tissues allows release of the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         32 . A therapeutic system comprising:
 a nanocarrier contrast agent composition comprising:
 an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, 
 a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid; and 
 a therapeutic agent, 
 wherein the organic liquid, when located in a biological tissue to be imaged, is operable to at least partially vaporize upon application of energy to the tissue. 
   
     
     
         33 . The imagining system of  claim 32 , wherein the nanocarrier has a size between 10 nanometers and 10 micrometers. 
     
     
         34 . The imaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the organic liquid comprises a perfluorocarbon. 
     
     
         35 . The imaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the coating material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: albumin, a polymer, a lipid, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The imaging system of  claim 32 , further comprising a targeting moiety. 
     
     
         37 . The imaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprise at least one nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of: a silver nanoparticle, a gold nanoparticle, an iron oxide nanoparticle, a cobalt nanoparticle, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The imaging system of  claim 33 , wherein therapeutic agent is in the organic liquid. 
     
     
         39 . The imaging system of  claim 33 , wherein the therapeutic agent is on the exterior surface of the nanocarrier composition.