US6530944B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optically-active nanoparticles for use in therapeutic and diagnostic methods
Assignee: Rice University
•
Filing: 2001-02-08
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Granted: 2003-03-11
•
Expires: 2021-02-08
Abstract
Abstract This invention is generally in the field of improved methods for the localized delivery of heat and the localized imaging of biological materials. The delivery may be in vitro or in vivo and is useful for the localized treatment of cancer, inflammation or other disorders involving overproliferation of tissue. The method is also useful for diagnostic imaging. The method involves localized induction of hyperthermia in a cell or tissue by delivering nanoparticles to said cell or tissue and exposing the nanoparticles to an excitation source under conditions wherein they emit heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Jennifer L. West
- 👤 Nancy J. Halas
- 👤 Leon R. Hirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 02:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K41/00; A61K41/0052; A61K41/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to said cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to infrared radiation under conditions wherein said nanoparticles emit heat upon exposure to said infrared radiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to said cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to infrared radiation under conditions wherein said nanoparticles emit heat upon exposure to said infrared radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nanoparticles are nanoshells wherein the core material is dielectric or semiconducting and the shell material is conducting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the nanoparticles are nanoshells and have a silica core and the shell is metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nanoparticles are comprised of silica doped with rare earth emitters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nanoparticles are nanoshells and have a core comprised of gold sulfide and a shell comprised of gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the infrared radiation is of wavelengths from 800 nm to 1300 nm or from 1600 nm to 1850 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said nanoparticles absorb said radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of coupling molecules to the nanoparticles wherein said molecules specifically bind to the cell or tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the binding is by the formation of an antigen-antibody complex.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the binding is by the formation of a ligand-receptor complex.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said molecules are coupled to the nanoparticles by a polymer tethering chain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cell is a cancer cell.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said cell or tissue and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, magnetic fields, and electric fields under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said cell or tissue and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, magnetic fields, and electric fields under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of administering nanoshells to an animal and exposing said nanoshells to electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of administering nanoshells to an animal and exposing said nanoshells to electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said animal is human.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of coupling molecules to the nanoshells wherein said molecules specifically bind to the cell or tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the binding is by the formation of an antigen-antibody complex.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the binding is by the formation of a ligand-receptor complex.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said coupling molecules are antibodies, fragments of antibodies, ligands for specific receptors or proteins binding specifically to the cell or tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said molecules are coupled to the nanoshells by a polymer tethering chain.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said polymer tethering chain is a difunctional polyethylene glycol derivative.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said cells or tissue are cancerous.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said electromagnetic radiation is selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, infrared and any combination thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said electromagnetic radiation is infrared radiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said infrared electromagnetic radiation is between 800 nm and 1300 nm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said infrared electromagnetic radiation is between 1600 nm and 1850 nm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of coupling molecules to the nanoshells wherein said molecules specifically bind to the cell or tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the binding is by the formation of an antigen-antibody complex.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the binding is by the formation of a ligand-receptor complex.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said coupling molecules are antibodies, fragments of antibodies, ligands for specific receptors or proteins binding specifically to the cell or tissue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said molecules are coupled to the nanoshells by a polymer tethering chain.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said polymer tethering chain is a difunctional polyethylene glycol derivative.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said nanoshells are encapsulated in a liposome.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to cell or tissue and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared and any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in a cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to cell or tissue and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared and any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of coupling molecules to the nanoshells wherein said molecules specifically bind to the cell or tissue.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the binding is by the formation of an antigen-antibody complex.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the binding is by the formation of a ligand-receptor complex.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said coupling molecules are antibodies, fragments of antibodies, ligands for specific receptors or proteins binding specifically to the cell or tissue.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said molecules are coupled to the nanoshells by a polymer tethering chain.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said polymer tethering chain is a difunctional polyethylene glycol derivative.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said cells or tissue are cancerous.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said radiation is infrared radiation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said infrared radiation is between 800 nm and 1300 nm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said infrared radiation is between 1600 nm and 1850 nm.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said non-cellular, non-tissue material and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared and any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for inducing localized hyperthermia in non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said non-cellular, non-tissue material and exposing said nanoshells to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared and any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said radiation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 45 wherein said non-cellular non-tissue material is plaque.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
44 words
A method for denaturing proteins comprising the step of inducing localized hyperthermia comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said proteins and exposing said nanoshells to a source of electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
44 words
A method for denaturing proteins comprising the step of inducing localized hyperthermia comprising the steps of delivering nanoshells to said proteins and exposing said nanoshells to a source of electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoshells emit heat upon exposure to said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
34 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising delivering nanoparticles to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
34 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising delivering nanoparticles to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation under conditions wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said electromagnetic radiation is selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said nanoparticles absorb or scatter said radiation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said electromagnetic radiation is infrared radiation.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said nanoparticles act as contrast agents with respect to said radiation.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the nanoparticles have a core and a shell wherein the core is a dielectric or is semiconducting and the shell is conducting.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the nanoparticles have a silica core and the conducting shell is metal.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the nanoparticles have a core comprised of gold sulfide and a shell comprised of gold.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the nanoparticles are comprised of silica doped with rare earth emitters.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the rare earth emitter is Pr +3 , Er +3 , or Nd +3 .
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said nanoparticle absorbs, fluoresces, or scatters said radiation.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 48 further comprising the step of coupling molecules to the nanoparticles wherein said molecules specifically bind to the cell or tissue.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the binding is by the formation of an antigen-antibody complex.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles comprising silica doped with rare earth emitters to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation, or any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles comprising silica doped with rare earth emitters to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation, or any combination thereof under conditions wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, magnetic fields, and electric fields.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to the cell or tissue and exposing said nanoparticles to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, magnetic fields, and electric fields.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
36 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to the non-cellular non-tissue material and exposing said nanoparticles to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound and electric fields.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
36 words
A method for diagnostic imaging of non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of delivering nanoparticles to the non-cellular non-tissue material and exposing said nanoparticles to radiation selected from the group consisting of ultrasound and electric fields.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 63 wherein said non-cellular non-tissue material is plaque.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
35 words
A method diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of administering nanoparticles to an animal and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue of said animal.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
35 words
A method diagnostic imaging of cell or tissue comprising the steps of administering nanoparticles to an animal and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation wherein said nanoparticles illuminate the cell or tissue of said animal.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 65 wherein said animal is human.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
34 words
A method diagnostic imaging of non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of administering nanoparticles to an animal and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation wherein said nanoparticles illuminate non-cellular non-tissue material of said animal.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
34 words
A method diagnostic imaging of non-cellular non-tissue material comprising the steps of administering nanoparticles to an animal and exposing said nanoparticles to electromagnetic radiation wherein said nanoparticles illuminate non-cellular non-tissue material of said animal.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 67 wherein said animal is human.
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