U.S. patent application number 10/463835 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for optical contrast agents for optically modifying incident radiation.
Invention is credited to Stephen A. Boppart, Daniel L. Marks, Kenneth S. Suslick, Farah Jean-Jacques Toublan.
Application Number | 20060121123 10/463835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33517154 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060121123 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Boppart; Stephen A. ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
Optical contrast agents for optically modifying incident
radiation
Abstract
A method of enhancing the contrast of an image of a sample,
comprises forming an image of a mixture, by exposing the mixture to
electromagnetic radiation. The mixture comprises the sample and
microparticles. The enhancement is particularly suitable for
optical coherence tomography.
Inventors: |
Boppart; Stephen A.;
(Champaign, IL) ; Marks; Daniel L.; (Urbana,
IL) ; Suslick; Kenneth S.; (Champaign, IL) ;
Toublan; Farah Jean-Jacques; (Urbana, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EVAN LAW GROUP LLC
566 WEST ADAMS, SUITE 350
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20040258762 A1 |
December 23, 2004 |
|
|
Family ID: |
33517154 |
Appl. No.: |
10/463835 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/491;
424/130.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 47/6925 20170801;
A61K 9/5089 20130101; A61K 9/1694 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/491;
424/130.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395; A61K 9/16 20060101 A61K009/16; A61K 9/50 20060101
A61K009/50 |
Goverment Interests
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] The subject matter of this application may in part have been
funded by the National Science Foundation (BES-0086696). The
government may have certain rights in this invention.
Claims
1. A method of forming an image of a sample, comprising: forming an
image of a mixture, by exposing the mixture to electromagnetic
radiation; wherein the mixture comprises the sample and
microparticles, the microparticles further comprise a surface coat,
and the electromagnetic radiation is in the frequency range of
infra-red to ultraviolet light.
2. (canceled)
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the image is by a
method selected from the group consisting of optical coherence
tomography, light microscopy, holography, confocal microscopy,
polarization microscopy, interference microscopy, multi-photon
microscopy, and endoscopy.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the image is by
optical coherence tomography.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles comprise
cross-linked protein.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface coat comprises at
least one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylene
glycol, antibodies, membrane receptor ligands, colloids, and
particles.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the colloids are silica, gold, or
silver colloids, and wherein the particles are melanin, iron or
carbon.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the surface coat comprises
polyethylene glycol.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the surface coat comprises
antibodies.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles further
comprise an inner core comprising solid, liquid, or solid and
liquid.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles further
comprise a dye or pigment.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the dye or pigment is charged
or magnetic.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising exposing the sample
to an alternating electric or magnetic field.
14. The method of claim 3, wherein the sample is a patient.
15. The method of claim 4, wherein the sample is a human
patient.
16-30. (canceled)
31. In a method of forming an image by optical coherence
tomography, including exposing a patient to electromagnetic
radiation, collecting reflected electromagnetic radiation, and
forming an image from the collected electromagnetic radiation, the
improvement comprising administering a contrast agent to the
patient to enhance contrast of the image, wherein the contrast
agent comprises microparticles comprising a surface coat, and the
microparticles comprise cross-linked protein.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the contrast agent comprises
microparticles further comprising: an inner core comprising a
charged or magnetic pigment or dye.
33. (canceled)
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the surface coat comprises
polyethylene glycol.
35. A method of forming an image of a sample, comprising: forming
an image of a mixture, by exposing the mixture to electromagnetic
radiation; wherein the mixture comprises the sample and
microparticles, the microparticles further comprise a surface coat,
the electromagnetic radiation is in the frequency range of
infra-red to ultraviolet light, the forming of the image is by
optical coherence tomography, and the surface coat comprises
polyethylene glycol.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the microparticles comprise
cross-linked protein.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the microparticles further
comprise an inner core comprising solid, liquid, or solid and
liquid.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the microparticles further
comprise a dye or pigment.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the dye or pigment is charged
or magnetic.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising exposing the sample
to an alternating electric or magnetic field.
41. The method of claim 35, wherein the sample is a patient.
42. The method of claim 35, wherein the sample is a human patient.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0002] When imaging biological tissues, it is often desirable to
enhance the signals measured from specific structures. Contrast
agents, which produce a strong emission or reflection signal, have
been utilized in virtually every imaging modality including
ultrasound [2], computed tomography [57], magnetic resonance
imaging [58], and optical microscopy [59].
[0003] Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging
high-resolution medical and biological imaging technology [15-21].
OCT is analogous to ultrasound B-mode imaging except reflections of
low-coherence light are detected rather than sound. OCT detects
changes in the backscattered amplitude and phase of light.
[0004] Cross-sectional OCT imaging is performed by measuring the
backscattered intensity of light from structures in tissue. This
imaging technique is attractive for medical imaging because it
permits the imaging of tissue microstructure in situ, yielding
micron-scale imaging resolution without the need for excision and
histological processing. Because OCT performs imaging using light,
it has a one- to two-order-of-magnitude higher spatial resolution
than ultrasound and does not require contact with tissue.
[0005] OCT was originally developed and demonstrated in
ophthalmology for high-resolution tomographic imaging of the retina
and anterior eye [22-24]. Because the eye is transparent and is
easily optically accessible, it is well-suited for diagnostic OCT
imaging. OCT is promising for the diagnosis of retinal disease
because it can provide images of retinal pathology with 10 .mu.m
resolution, almost one order-of-magnitude higher than previously
possible using ultrasound. Clinical studies have been performed to
assess the application of OCT for a number of macular diseases
[23,24]. OCT is especially promising for the diagnosis and
monitoring of glaucoma and macular edema associated with diabetic
retinopathy because it permits the quantitative measurement of
changes in the retinal or retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.
Because morphological changes often occur before the onset of
physical symptoms, OCT can provide a powerful approach for the
early detection of these diseases.
[0006] Recently, OCT has been applied for imaging a wide range of
nontransparent tissues [16,17,25-27]. In tissues other than the
eye, the imaging depth is limited by optical attenuation due to
scattering and absorption. A "biological window" exists in tissue
where absorption of near-infrared wavelengths is at a minimum and
light can penetrate deep into highly-scattering tissue (FIG. 3)
[28]. Because optical scattering decreases with increasing
wavelength, OCT in nontransparent tissues has routinely used 1.3
.mu.m wavelength light for imaging. In most tissues, imaging depths
of 2-3 mm can be achieved using a system detection sensitivity of
110 dB (1 part in 10.sup.11). OCT has been applied to image
arterial pathology in vitro and has been shown to differentiate
plaque morphology with superior resolution to ultrasound
[17,29].
[0007] Imaging studies have also been performed to investigate
applications in gastroenterology, urology, and neurosurgery
[30-32]. High resolution OCT using short coherence length,
short-pulse light sources, has also been demonstrated and axial
resolutions of less than 5 .mu.m have been achieved [33,34].
High-speed OCT at image acquisition rates of 4 to 8 frames per
second for 500 to 250 square pixel images has been achieved [35].
OCT has been extended to perform Doppler imaging of blood flow and
birefringence imaging to investigate laser intervention [36-38].
Different imaging delivery systems including transverse imaging
catheters and endoscopes, and forward imaging devices have been
developed to enable internal body OCT imaging [39,40]. Most
recently, OCT has been combined with catheter-endoscope-based
delivery to perform in vivo imaging in animal models and human
patients [41-44].
[0008] Apart from medical applications, OCT has been demonstrated
as an emerging investigational tool for cell and developmental
biology. OCT has imaged the development of numerous animal models
including Rana pipiens and Xenopus laevis (Leopard and African
frog), and Brachydanio rerio (zebrafish) [45-46]. High-speed OCT
imaging has permitted the morphological and functional imaging of
the developing Xenopus cardiovascular system, including changes in
heart function following pharmacological interventions [47].
High-resolution imaging has permitted the real-time tracking of
cell dynamics in living specimens including mesenchymal cell
mitosis and neural crest cell migration [48]. OCT is advantageous
in microscopy applications because repeated non-invasive imaging of
the morphological and functional changes in genetically modified
animals can be performed overtime without having to histologically
process multiple specimens. The high-resolution, cellular-imaging
capabilities suggest that OCT can be used to diagnose and monitor
early neoplastic changes in humans.
[0009] The ability of OCT to perform optical biopsies, the in situ
imaging of tissue microstructure at near-histological resolution,
has been used to image morphological differences between normal and
neoplastic tissue. OCT images of in vitro neoplasms of the female
reproductive tract [49], the gastrointestinal tract [50], and the
brain [51] have been investigated. Optical differences between
normal and neoplastic tissue were evident, but primarily for
late-stage changes. Still, situations exists where no inherent
optical contrast exists between normal and pathologic tissue, such
as in early-stage, pre-malignant tumors or in tumors which remain
optically similar to normal tissue.
[0010] In the past, OCT has found numerous medical and biological
applications. However, the imaging technique has relied largely on
the inherent optical properties of the tissue to provide contrast
and differentiate normal from pathological tissue.
Phospholipid-coated perfluorobutane microbubbles (ImaRx
Pharmaceutical, Tucson, Ariz.) have been used as a contrast agent
for OCT; although they produce a strong OCT signal, blood and
tissue also produce a fairly strong OCT signal, and the effects of
this contrast agent in vivo on the visualization of blood vessels
are subtle [60].
[0011] Albunex.RTM. is an FDA-approved, air-filled albumin composed
of microparticles produced ultrasonically, that is used
intravenously as an echo-contrast agent for echocardiography, and
as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging [2-4]. These
microparticles may be formed with encapsulated liquid, to form a
unique colloidal delivery vehicle. By the choice of protein used
for the microparticle shell, the material encapsulated within the
microparticle, a multitude of biomedical applications have been
developed [3,5-9]. Some of the applications of these protein
microparticles include biocompatible blood substitutes, magnetic
resonance imaging and echocardiographic contrast agents, and novel
drug delivery systems. These are described in the following U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,362,478; 5,439,686; 5,498,421; 5,505,932; 5,508,021;
5,512,268; 5,560,933; 5,635,207; 5,639,473; 5,650,156; 5,665,382
and 5,665,383.
[0012] These protein microparticles may be created from ultrasonic
irradiation of aqueous protein solutions. Studies have delineated
that the mechanism responsible for microparticle formation is, in
fact, a combination of two acoustic phenomena: emulsification and
cavitation. Ultrasonic emulsification creates the microscopic
dispersion of the protein solution necessary to form the
proteinaceous microparticles. Alone, however, emulsification is
insufficient to produce long-lived microparticles. For example,
emulsions produced by vortex mixing produce no long-lived
microparticles.
[0013] Ultrasonic irradiation of liquids can also produce
cavitation, the formation, growth, and implosive collapse of
bubbles. The collapse of such bubbles creates transient hot-spots
with enormous peak temperatures [14]. Sonolysis of water is known
to produce H+, OH.sup.-, H.sub.2, H.sub.2O.sub.2, and in the
presence of oxygen, HO.sub.2 [13]. Superoxide creates inter-protein
disulfide bonds that cross-link the proteins and hold the
microparticles together. This dispersion of gas or nonaqueous
liquid into the protein solution, coupled with chemical
cross-linking of the protein at the microparticle interface results
in the formation of long-lived microparticles filled with air or
nonaqueous liquid.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0014] In a first aspect, the present invention is a method of
forming an image of a sample, comprising forming an image of a
mixture, by exposing the mixture to electromagnetic radiation. The
mixture comprises the sample and microparticles.
[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of
enhancing the contrast of an image of a sample, comprising forming
an image of a mixture, by exposing the mixture to electromagnetic
radiation. The mixture comprises the sample and microparticles.
[0016] In a third aspect, the present invention is a method of
forming an image by optical coherence tomography, including
exposing a patient to electromagnetic radiation, collecting
reflected electromagnetic radiation, and forming an image from the
collected electromagnetic radiation, the improvement comprising
administering a contrast agent to the patient to enhance contrast
of the image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a scanning electron microscope image of
microparticles;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a plot of the distribution of microparticle
sizes;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a graph of the "biological window" in tissue;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic of magnetically- or electrically
switchable contrast agents;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic of low-coherence interferometry;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic of an OCT instrument;
[0023] FIGS. 7(a) and (b) are images of air-filled microparticles
in a tissue model;
[0024] FIG. 7(c) shows plots indicating the degree of optical
backscatter versus depth for the boxed areas in FIGS. 7(a) and
(b);
[0025] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the step for forming
microparticles;
[0026] FIGS. 9(a) and (b) are diagrams of the standard cell and
inverted cell, respectively, for forming microparticles; and
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts a method of coating colloidal suspensions
onto microparticles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention makes use of the discovery that
microparticles may be used to enhance the contrast in analyses and
imaging techniques that use electromagnetic radiation, particularly
those techniques which use radiation in the frequency range of
infra-red to ultraviolet, such as OCT, light microscopy,
holography, confocal microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, and
endoscopy.
[0029] The phrase "enhancing the contrast" means that an image
produced with the enhancement shows a greater difference in
adsorbed, scattered or reflected electromagnetic radiation between
parts of the image, than an otherwise identical image produced
without the enhancement.
[0030] The term "image" means data produced by receipt of
electromagnetic radiation, which may or may not be formed into a
picture viewable by the human eye. This includes images produced
directly onto a medium such as film or video.
[0031] The phrase "frequency range of infra-red to ultraviolet"
means electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of 10.sup.12 to
10.sup.17 Hz, which excludes radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and
gamma rays. The term "light" means visible light.
[0032] Microparticles have a solid component, such as an outer
shell, and may have an inner core which is gas, liquid or solid
(which may be the same or different from the outer shell).
Preferably, the microparticles have an outer shell containing
biodegradable polymers. More preferably, the microparticles have an
outer shell containing cross-linked protein.
[0033] The term "solid" includes cross-linked proteins;
cross-linked polymers; and materials which exhibit a melting point
(T.sub.m) or a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) in
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which is above 30.degree.
C., more preferably above 50.degree. C., most preferably above
100.degree.C.
[0034] Preferably, the microparticles have an average diameter of
at least 100 nm, more preferably at least 0.5 microns, even more
preferably 0.5-15 microns, most preferably 0.5-5 microns.
Preferably, the microparticles have an average diameter of at most
50 microns, more preferably 100 nm to 50 microns. As used herein,
the term "diameter" and "average diameter", in the context of
microparticles, means number average diameter.
[0035] Varying the microparticle diameter enables size-selectivity
for use in the living microcirculation or for optimizing the
wavelength-specific scattering properties of the contrast agents.
When the microparticle size is on the same scale as the wavelength
of the incident radiation, Mie scattering predicts the behavior of
the scattered light and can be used to maximize scattering for
particular wavelengths.
[0036] Any protein may be used in the microparticles. The term
"protein" includes proteins, peptides and polypeptides, both
natural and synthetic. In the fabrication of protein microparticle,
there are three main steps: emulsification, protein agglomeration,
cross-linking. The first two steps are a result of the mixing
effect caused by ultrasound. The third step is a result of the
sonolysis of water. When exposed to high intensity ultrasound (20
kHz), water molecules are split into highly reactive intermediates.
Superoxide, which is produced during the sonolysis of water,
cross-links the protein molecules. The cross-linking of the
microparticles is done via the oxidation of the cysteine residues
to form inter-protein disulfide bonds. The general process is
depicted in FIG. 8. Using this particular set-up, a variety of
microparticles have been produced. The material to be encapsulated
should be dissolved into a two-phase system comprising an aqueous
phase and an oil phase during the emulsification. In addition to
liquids, solids and gasses can also be encapsulated inside the
microparticle. For example air has been encapsulated in protein
microparticles. This product Albunex.TM. is commercially available
as an echo contrast agent.
[0037] During the formation of the microparticles, cysteine
residues are reacted, forming disulfide bonds that cross-link the
protein. If the protein does not contain cysteine residues, the
protein may be modified with 2-iminothiolane (Traut's reagent)
using the chemical scheme shown below. ##STR1##
[0038] Once modified, any protein can be used for microparticle
synthesis. The more thiol groups introduced, the greater the
microparticle yield and stability. This is consistent with the fact
that cross-linking is done via inter-protein disulfide bond
formation.
[0039] Preferably, the polymers for use with the present invention
are materials which decompose when placed inside an organism. This
can be observed as a decline in the molecular weight of the polymer
over time. Polymer molecular weights can be determined by a variety
of methods including size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and are
generally expressed as weight averages or number averages. A
polymer is biodegradable if, when in phosphate buffered saline
(PBS) of pH 7.4 and a temperature of 37.degree. C., its
weight-average molecular weight is reduced by at least 25% over a
period of 6 months as measured by SEC.
[0040] Examples of biodegradable polymers include proteins,
polyesters, such as poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), poly(glycolic
acid), poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D-lactic acid),
poly(hydroxybutyrate) and copolymers of caprolactone, glycolic
acid, lactic acid, and hydroxybutyrate; polyanhydrides, such as
poly(adipic anhydride); poly(paradioxanone); poly(.beta.-malic
acid); polyethylene glycol; polyamines; polyurethanes;
polyesteramides; polyorthoesters; polyacetals; polyketals;
polycarbonates; polyorthocarbonates; polyphosphazenes; poly(malic
acid); poly(amino acids); polyvinylpyrrolidone;
polyhydroxycellulose; chitin; chitosan; and copolymers and mixtures
thereof.
[0041] Any biodegradable polymer may be used to fabricate the shell
of microparticles. Preferably, biodegradable polymers that contain
sulfhydryl functionality may be used to fabricate microparticles,
as sonolysis will yield interpolymer disulfide bonds between
adjacent polymers. Biodegradable polymers that contain reactive
groups other than sulfhydryl groups, such as amine groups, can be
modified initially with Traut's reagent as described previously to
introduce the requisite sulfhydryl functionality for fabricating
the cross-linked polymer shell of microparticles using sonolysis.
Even more preferably, biodegradable polymers that contain multiple
functionalities, such as amino, carboxylate, ester, hydroxyl, and
sulfhydryl functionalities, would enable fabrication of
microparticles having cross-linked polymer shells that may be
subject to further surface modification.
[0042] The biodegradable polymers that make up the polymer shell of
microparticles need not be homopolymers nor uniform mixtures of a
given polymer. Biodegradable homopolymers, heteropolymers, or
mixtures thereof may be used in microparticle fabrication
protocols, provided the polymers possess sulfhydryl functionality
necessary for formation of microparticle having a cross-linked
biodegradable polymer shell. Such polymers are commercially
available or may be prepared using methods routinely available to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0043] One or more materials may be encapsulated in each
microparticle. Changes in the inner core allows for versatility of
the microparticles in biomedical applications. Table 1 lists some
of the types of microparticles that have been synthesized. In
addition to the inner core materials in the list, melanin granules,
colloidal gold, iron oxide, and fluorophores, all of which have the
potential to absorb, scatter, spectrally-modify, or modulate the
incident radiation, may be used. Still other examples include
liquid crystalline materials, biocompatible liquid crystals in the
cholesterol family such as cholesterol oleyl carbonate, fatty
alcohol esters of tartaric acid and cholesteryl oligo(L-lactic
acids), chiral agents such as helocenes, tartaric acid and esters
thereof, other optically active organic compounds, and birefringent
materials, which may be used in conjunction with planar or
circularly polarized light. Dye and pigments may also be included,
such as porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, nile red, rhodamine, and
phthalocyanines. Preferably, the microparticle are optically dense;
the term "optically dense" means that the microparticles absorbs at
least twice as much visible light than an equivalent thickness of
water-filled microparticles formed from bovine serum albumin. For
X-ray application, preferably the microparticles are X-ray dense;
the term "X-ray dense" means that the microparticles absorb at
least twice as much C.mu..sub.K.alpha. X-ray radiation, than an
equivalent thickness of water-filled microparticles formed from
bovine serum albumin. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Microparticles Protein
Shells Inner Cores Surface Coats Albumin Air, O.sub.2, N.sub.2, Ar
PEG Hemoglobin Vegetable oil Fluorescein Pepsin Water Iron oxide
colloid Immunoglobulins Organic liquids Immunoglobulins Lipase
Acetoacetate Folate Peroxidases Fluorocarbons Gd complexes Modified
Myoglobin Iodinated agents Monoclonal Antibodies Gold Labeled
Albumin Gd complexes Gold nanoparticles Iron Oxide Silica
nanoparticles Melanin Carbon
[0044] Hydrophilic materials and charged material can be introduced
in the microparticles using a modification of the cell employed
(inverted cell as opposed to the standard cell). Diagrams of the
standard cell (left), as well as one of the inverted cell (right)
are shown in FIG. 9.
[0045] Two or more different materials may be encapsulated in each
microparticle to provide high or low contrast under different
conditions, such as in an applied alternating field. As an example,
one or more of the encapsulated material is either charged (for
electrically-modulated agents) or magnetic (for
magnetically-modulated agents). These agents may be responsible for
either low or high contrast. The second type of material to be
encapsulated is intended to provide the opposite contrast of the
first such as titanium oxide, or may be a bulk material such as
oil, or both. Examples of charged agents include Reichardt's dye
(RD; a solvatochromic agent) and 1-ethyl-4-methoxycarbonyl)
pyridinium iodide (PYI), the structures of which are shown below.
Examples of magnetic agents include iron particles, iron oxide,
ferrox cube A, alnico 8, cunife, cunico, iron particles coated
titanium oxide (formed by sputtering the iron particles with
titanium oxide), and cobalt particles coated with gold (formed by
plating of gold onto cobalt particles). ##STR2##
[0046] Previously, microparticles have been examined by optical
microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and
particle counting. The microparticles have a uniform size
distribution with diameters of roughly 2 .mu.m, permitting
unimpeded motion throughout the circulatory system. While the
protein shells may be quite thin (roughly 50 angstroms across) and
gas permeable, the particles are physically robust and will survive
filtration and centrifugation. Their synthesis produces very large
concentrations (>10.sup.10 microparticles/mL after
purification).
[0047] Sonochemical methods that use high-intensity ultrasound and
simple protein solutions may be used to make both air-filled
microparticles and liquid and particle-filled microcapsules [5].
For example, a 1-15% weight per volume solution of protein in water
may be mixed with the liquid or the particles to be encapsulated.
High intensity 20 kHz ultrasound may be applied at the interface of
the materials for 1-10 minutes at an acoustic power of 30-150
watts/cm.sup.2. Temperature should be controlled by a water bath.
Microparticles may be washed multiple times by centrifuge
filtration, for example at 3 g for 20 minutes. The
microparticle-containing layer may then be separated and remaining
layers discarded. Contrast agents that can have their contrast
modulated by external electric or magnetic fields are fabricated in
a similar manner, except, two or more different materials are
encapsulated in each microparticle. Microparticle diameter can be
controlled by varying the acoustic power of the ultrasound wave.
This sonochemical technique produces micron-sized particles with a
cross-linked protein shell and a core which may be selected
freely.
[0048] Native protein and extensively purified protein
microparticles show very similar spectra. Formation of
microparticles does not significantly alter the secondary structure
of the protein that makes up the cross-linked shell.
[0049] The surface of the microparticles can be altered to vary the
in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Towards this goal,
attached molecules include, but are not limited to, polyethylene
glycol chains (PEG) (to extend their lifetime in the blood pool),
membrane receptor ligands (e.g., folate, hemes, steroids,
neurotransmitters), bioactive peptides, and even antibody chains.
Furthermore, lipase can be attached to the surface of the
microparticles to preferentially target the small intestines.
[0050] The availability of numerous functionalizable side groups in
proteins makes it easier to modify the surface of microparticles
with shell compositions made from cross-linked protein.
Modification of protein microparticles allows for prolonged
circulation in the case of polyethylene glycol (PEG) attachment,
surface recognition in the case of folate and antibody attachment,
and changes in optical and spectroscopic properties in the case of
colloids adhesion. Five different surface modification routes are
described here.
[0051] Covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the
amine group on the protein microparticle. These residues can be
modified to introduce functionality such as the polyethylene glycol
(PEG) group. The introduction of the PEG group is done via a
coupling reaction with cyanuric chloride. The reaction scheme is
shown below. ##STR3##
[0052] Surface modification using folate is an extension of the PEG
surface modification method shown above. The folate in this
instance is activated using a dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC)
coupling reaction. The activated folate is then coupled to a PEG
moiety. This process is depicted below. The resulting modified PEG
is attached to the surface of the microparticles in the same manner
as depicted above via a cyanuric chloride coupling reaction.
##STR4##
[0053] The conjugation of folate to the microparticle surface
allows targeting to folate-binding tumor cells. Ovarian, breast,
and human nasopharyngeal tumors all possess a high concentration of
folate receptors on their surface [52,53]. Prior work has shown
that liposomes modified by folate-PEG conjugates target folate
receptor bearing KB tumor cells and exhibit an inhibitory effect on
their growth [54]. Specifically, these contrast agents are expected
to target induced squamous cell carcinoma with the folate-modified
microparticles. Similarly, many oral and upper gastrointestinal
tract tumors have a high affinity for various hemes (which greatly
assists in the use of hematoporphyrins as photodynamic therapy
agents) [55,56]. Microparticles with surface hemes attached may
also be used to target induced squamous cell carcinoma.
[0054] The modification of the protein microparticles with
antibodies allows targeting of T-cell receptors. This modification
was carried out using monoclonal antibodies that are specific for
T-cell receptors. These monoclonal antibodies were covalently
linked to the surface of the microparticles via a
dimethylaminoprol-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) coupling
reaction. In this coupling reaction the glutamates (residues which
contain carboxylates groups) and the lysines (residues which
contain primary amine groups) of both the antibodies and the
protein microparticles are cross-linked. The general scheme of this
process is shown below. This may be used to form a surface coat of
any protein which contains glutamate and lysine residues.
##STR5##
[0055] Modifications using aqueous colloidal suspension relies on
the surface charge of the microparticles for particulate adhesion.
This method has been employed in the thin film industry to place
charged particles onto a template. A microparticle having a
negative charge, for example one formed from BSA and kept at a pH
of 7.4, is formed and positively charged material may be adhered
onto the surface following a layer-by-layer approach, by simply
mixing it with the colloidal material. This method is depicted in
FIG. 10.
[0056] Other materials may be put on the surface by following the
usual microparticle synthesis route but by using a non-colloid
suspension of the desired material in the oil phase. Because the
oil does not appropriately solvate the suspended particles, upon
microparticle formation these particles preferentially attach to
the exterior of the protein shell to avoid contact with the oil
phase. Examples of these microparticles are the melanin and carbon
surface coat containing microparticles.
[0057] The protein shell of serum albumin microparticles with a
n-C.sub.9F.sub.20 core can be modified. In rats, the measured
circulation half-life of non-modified microparticles was
approximately 5 minutes, while surface modification with PEG
extends this to more than 70 minutes.
[0058] These and other techniques for preparing the contrast agents
are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled
"SURFACE MODIFIED PROTEIN MICROPARTICLES", to Kenneth S. Suslick et
al., Attorney docket number 09800240-0035, filed on the same day as
this application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. Still other techniques for preparing these contrast
agents are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/931,640, entitled "MICROPARTICLES", to Kyekyoon Kim et al.,
filed Aug. 15, 2001, and published May 9, 2002. This latter
technique is very suitable for forming microparticles of polymers
which do not contain sulfhydryl groups. Furthermore, in the same
fashion as with cross-linked protein microparticles, microparticles
formed from other polymers may be surface-modified by inclusion of
hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, amino, and carboxylate groups.
[0059] Sonochemically-generated contrast agents containing any
combination of shell and encapsulated material (as shown in Table
1) may be used to increase local contrast within biological and
non-biological specimens and samples. Contrast agents can be
delivered to the area of interest by a number of techniques
including syringe injection interstitially, intravenouly,
intermuscularly, subdermally, interparatenielly, and interthecally.
Other techniques include oral, rectal and topical administration.
The surface modifications to the agents enable them to localize to
target tissues or cells by means include receptor-mediated
adhesion, antigen-antibody localization, or phagocytosis
(engulfing) or endocytosis (uptake) by target cells.
[0060] The microparticles may be prepared as pharmaceutical
compositions. Such compositions typically comprise microparticles
and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A "pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier" includes any and all solvents, dispersion
media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and
absorption delaying agents, etc., compatible with pharmaceutical
administration [61]. Preferred examples of such carriers or
diluents include, but are not limited to, water, saline, finger's
solutions, dextrose solution, and 5% human serum albumin. Liposomes
and non-aqueous vehicles such as fixed oils may also be used.
Except when a conventional media or agent is incompatible with an
active compound, use of these compositions is contemplated.
Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the
compositions.
[0061] A pharmaceutical composition is formulated to be compatible
with the intended route of administration, including intravenous,
intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal
(i.e., topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions
or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous
application can include: a sterile diluent such as water for
injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols,
glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents;
antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens;
antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating
agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); buffers such
as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment
of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be
adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium
hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampules,
disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or
plastic.
[0062] Injection provides a direct and facile route of
administration, especially for tissue that is below the skin.
Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injection include sterile
aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the
extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or
dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers
include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, CREMOPHOR EL
(BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all
cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid so as to
be administered using a syringe. Such compositions should be stable
during manufacture and storage and must be preserved against
contamination from microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The
carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for
example, water, ethanol, polyol (such as glycerol, propylene
glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol), and suitable mixtures.
Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by using a coating
such as lecithin, by maintaining the required particle size in the
case of dispersion and by using surfactants. Various antibacterial
and antifungal agents, such as parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol,
ascorbic acid, and thimerosal, can control microorganism
contamination. Isotonic agents, such as sugars, polyalcohols such
as manitol, sorbitol, and sodium chloride can be included in the
composition.
[0063] Sterile injectable solutions or dispersions can be prepared
by incorporating microparticles in an appropriate solvent with one
or a combination of ingredients, followed by sterilization. Sterile
powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions methods
of preparation include vacuum drying and freeze-drying that yield a
powder and any desired ingredient from a sterile solutions.
[0064] Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an
edible carrier. For the purpose of oral administration, the
microparticles can be incorporated with excipients and used in the
form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also
be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein
the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally.
Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant
materials can be included. Tablets, pills, capsules, troches and
the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds
of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose,
gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose,
a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, PRIMOGEL, or corn
starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or STEROTES; a
glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such
as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint,
methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.
[0065] For administration by inhalation, the compounds are
delivered as an aerosol spray from a nebulizer or a pressurized
container that contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as
carbon dioxide.
[0066] Systemic administration can also be mucosal or dermal. For
mucosal or dermal administration, penetrants that can permeate the
target barrier(s) are selected. Mucosal penetrants include,
detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Nasal sprays
or suppositories can be used for mucosal administration. For dermal
administration, the microparticles are formulated into ointments,
salves, gels, or creams. The microparticles can also be prepared in
the form of suppositories (e.g., with bases such as cocoa butter
and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.
[0067] Oral formulations or parenteral compositions in unit dosage
form can be created to facilitate administration and dosage
uniformity. Unit dosage form refers to physically discrete units
suited as single doses for a subject, containing a effective
quantity of microparticles in association with a pharmaceutical
carrier.
[0068] The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a kit,
container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for
administration. When the invention is supplied as a kit, the
different components of the composition may be packaged in separate
containers and admixed immediately before use. Such packaging of
the components separately may permit better long-term storage.
[0069] The reagents included in the kits can be supplied in
containers of any sort such that the life of the different
components are preserved and are not adsorbed or altered by the
materials of the container. For example, sealed glass ampules may
contain lyophilized luciferase or buffer that have been packaged
under a neutral non-reacting gas, such as nitrogen. Ampules may
consist of any suitable material, such as glass, organic polymers,
such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, etc., ceramic, metal or any
other material typically employed to hold reagents. Other examples
of suitable containers include bottles that may be fabricated from
similar substances as ampules, and envelopes, that may consist of
foil-lined interiors, such as aluminum or an alloy. Other
containers include test tubes, vials, flasks, bottles, syringes,
etc.. Containers may have a sterile access port, such as a bottle
having a stopper that can be pierced by a hypodermic injection
needle. Other containers may have two compartments that are
separated by a readily removable membrane that upon removal permits
the components to mix. Removable membranes may be glass, plastic,
rubber, etc.
[0070] Kits may also be supplied with instructional materials.
Instructions may be printed on paper or other substrate, and/or may
be supplied as an electronic-readable medium, such as a floppy
disc, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Zip disc, videotape, audio tape, etc.
Detailed instructions may not be physically associated with the
kit; instead, a user may be directed to an internet web site
specified by the manufacturer or distributor of the kit, or
supplied as electronic mail.
[0071] Once contrast agents have reached their target tissue or
cell, they may remain localized and provide contrast either
passively or actively. Passive contrast agents may absorb, scatter,
or spectrally-modify the incident radiation. Active contrast agents
have their contrast modulated by alternating, externally-applied
electric or magnetic fields.
[0072] Electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the specimen,
sample or part of a patient containing the contrast agent.
Following interaction with the contrast agent, the affected
radiation is detected, typically in either the transmitted
(forward) or reflected (backward) directions relative to the
direction of the incident radiation. This detected radiation
carries information about the specimen, sample or patient, as well
as the presence of the contrast agent. This information can be
measured and displayed numerically, graphically, or in the form of
an image. For active contrast agents that have their contrast
modulated by an external field, an alternating electric or magnetic
field is applied, inducing an alternating contrast within the
agents (FIG. 4). An apparatus for implementing switchable contrast
agents would include pairs, series, or arrays of electrodes that
would have an electrical potential (dc or ac) and establish an
electric field within the specimen to cause the charged particles
to be oriented, aligned, or displaced. Magnetic fields may be
established using solenoids or coil configurations through which
electrical current is passed. Static and alternating magnetic
fields and gradients may be used. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
technology could be leveraged for the use of these contrast agents;
the optical imaging could be done within MRI coils. The contrast
will modulate at the same frequency as the applied field. Detection
with a lock-in amplifier (locked in at the same frequency as the
applied field) is used to enhance the sensitivity of the contrast
agents. The detection of a signal at the lock-in frequency may be
amplified, compared to other signals, thereby enhancing the
sensitivity of the detection scheme. Alternatively, moving
particles caused by the alternating fields will cause a
Doppler-shift in the incident light, and using OCT these frequency
shifts would provide a signal that can be detected with high
sensitivity, since the background tissue will not be moving.
[0073] The lifetime of the contrast agents in living specimens is
likely to range from minutes to days, depending on the stability of
the agent, the ability of the agent to localize and attach to
specific tissue or cells, and the ability of the body to breakdown
or clear the agent. Studies of similar agents used in ultrasound
and MRI indicate that the agents are cleared rapidly within hours
and excretion occurs via both the renal (kidneys) and hepatic
(liver) systems. Because of the expected rapid clearance of the
agents, side-effects are expected to be minimal.
[0074] The contrast agents described here may be used in optical
detection and imaging technologies for biological, non-biological,
medical, and display applications. OCT is an emerging
high-resolution imaging technology that currently lacks contrast
agents to enhance its diagnostic capabilities. OCT performs optical
ranging and is analogous to ultrasound, except reflections of
near-infrared light is detected rather than sound. Because the
speed of light is much faster than sound, optical low-coherence
interferometry (FIG. 5) must be used to determine the precise
location of the optical backscatter. The OCT technology is
fiber-optic-based and relies on the rapid technology development of
lasers and fiber optics driven by the telecommunications industry.
A schematic of the OCT instrument is shown in FIG. 6. The OCT
imaging beam can be delivered to internal body locations with the
use of fiber-optic probes and catheters. The use of optical
contrast agents localized to regions of early cancer will
facilitate detection of cancer at early stages, when it is most
responsive to treatment.
[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates the use of air-filled microparticles, in
a tissue model. Layers of agarose gel mixed with milk to emulate
the optical properties of human skin were used to demonstrate how
microparticles enhance contrast deep below the surface. A layer of
contrast agents can be seen in FIG. 7b. FIG. 7c shows axial plots
of data that illustrate the enhancement of contrast up to 650
microns below the surface of the tissue model.
EXAMPLES
[0076] The examples herein are illustrations of various embodiments
of this invention and are not intended to limit it in any way.
[0077] The contrast agents investigated in this study are similar
to those used in ultrasound echocardiography [4]. These agents are
hollow microparticles 0.5 to 5 microns in diameter with a 50 .ANG.
thick protein shell. FIG. 1 shows a scanning electron micrograph of
the microparticles. The microparticles utilized were air-filled and
produced by sonicating a 5% weight per volume solution of bovine
serum albumin (BSA) in water. The high-intensity ultrasound
necessary for the reaction was generated by a titanium horn with
tip diameter of 0.5 inches, driven at 20 kHz. The BSA solution was
sonicated for 3 minutes at an acoustic power of 76 W/cm.sup.2 [3].
The microparticles may be re-suspended with 0.1 M 4-morpholine
ethane sulfonic acid, pH=4.5. The diameter of the microparticles is
dependent on the acoustic power and the frequency of ultrasound
used. Diameters ranging from 0.5 microns to 15 microns may be
produced with ultrasound. The sample of microparticles was washed 5
times with nanopure water and filtered to remove unwanted
particles. FIG. 2 shows a plot of the distribution of microparticle
sizes from a 10 .mu.L sample of contrast agents in water.
Approximately 1.3.times.10.sup.5 microparticles/.mu.L are present
within this sample. The distribution plot data was generated from a
COULTER.RTM. Multisizer II analysis of the sample. The
microparticle sizes are generally under 5 microns with an average
and standard deviation of 2.2.+-.0.5 .mu.m. This size distribution
should enable them to pass readily through the microcirculation.
These microparticles can also be filled with other scattering
substances such as melanin, gold, or iron particles suspended in
oil [5]. The air-filled particles (refractive index n.apprxeq.1)
are expected to scatter strongly in tissue (n.apprxeq.1.38) because
of the difference in refractive indices.
[0078] Scattering tissue models were developed to determine if the
contrast agents could be detected in an environment similar to
biological tissues. These models consisted of agarose gelatin in
which skim milk was added as a scatterer to achieve a reduced
scattering coefficient of 15-25 cm.sup.-1 at 800 nm wavelength,
which is comparable to that measured in human epidermal tissue
[18]. The reduced scattering coefficients for each model were
measured by oblique-incidence fiber-optic reflectometry [62].
Tissue models were prepared by heating a solution of agarose and
water near boiling and adding approximately 25% milk by volume to
achieve the desired scattering properties. The agarose-milk
solution was cooled to form a scattering layer. On top of this
layer, a 50 .mu.L drop of microparticles (1.3.times.10.sup.5
microparticles/.mu.L)) and gelatin was deposited and cooled. A
second agarose-milk scattering layer up to 1 mm thick was added
over the surface to obscure the contrast agents. These samples were
made in 5 cm diameter glass dishes and were 1-2 cm deep.
[0079] Tissue model samples were imaged with a fiber-optic based
OCT system. The broad-bandwidth optical source consisted of a
Nd:YVO.sub.4 diode-pumped titanium:sapphire laser which produced
500 mW average power and approximately 90 fs pulses with an 80 MHz
repetition rate at 800 nm center wavelength. About 350 mW of this
power was coupled into a single mode fiber and was split into two
paths by a broadband 50:50 fiber coupler (Gould Fiber Optics,
Inc.). When passed through this coupler, the spectral bandwidth of
the pulse broadened from 25 to 50 nm FWHM. The axial and transverse
resolutions of the system were 6 .mu.m and 14 .mu.m, respectively.
The reference arm of the OCT interferometer contained a
galvanometer-driven retroreflector delay line that was scanned a
distance of 5 mm at a rate of 30 Hz to provide axial reflectance
data. The sample arm consisted of a fiber-optic collimator to
produce a 2 mm diameter beam from the fiber. The beam was focused
into the tissue by a 12.5 mm diameter, 30 mm focal length
achromatic lens. The beam was scanned over the tissue with a pair
of orthogonal galvanometer-controlled mirrors. Approximately 6 mW
of power was incident on the tissue. The reflected light was
recollected by the lens and collimator and recombined in the fiber
coupler with the delayed reference signal. The interference signal
was measured by a silicon photodiode, bandpass-filtered by an
analog filter, and rectified by a logarithmic envelope detection
circuit. The resulting scattering magnitude was digitized to 12-bit
accuracy. Adjacent axial scans were assembled to produce
two-dimensional OCT images that were displayed on the computer
using custom data acquisition and display software.
[0080] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show OCT images (500.times.500 pixel,
3.times.5 mm) of the logarithmic reflectance signal measured from a
tissue model without and with air-filled microparticle contrast
agents, respectively. Both samples were prepared by depositing two
separate layers of agarose-milk (.mu..sub.s'=20 cm.sup.-1). The
sample shown in FIG. 7(b) had a thin layer of contrast agents
deposited between the layers. The contrast agents had a size
distribution given by FIG. 2 and were diluted to 60% by volume with
a mixture of agarose and 25% milk to suspend the contrast agents.
Because no boundary is visible in FIG. 7(a), it was concluded that
the scattering in FIG. 7(b) is due to contrast agents and not the
sample preparation method. FIG. 7(c) is a series of plots of the
average scattering intensity as a function of depth (averaged over
75 axial scans) for the five boxed regions in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b).
The axial depth in the tissue model was scaled by the reciprocal of
the refractive index of the agarose-milk gel (n=1.31). The optical
backscatter intensity is normalized by the magnitude of the
scattering near the surface to account for variations in intensity
due to the scanning angle of the OCT beam. The control region is
from the sample without contrast agents to show that the
backscatter ratio remains under one. The other four regions are
from the sample containing contrast agents at increasing depths
under the surface. Samples 1, 2, and 3 have peak backscatter ratios
near 2.0, which indicate that the contrast is 2:1 over the
background. Sample 4 is slightly decreased, showing that the signal
is decreasing at that depth (approximately 650 .mu.m). This
suggests that this particular sample and concentration of contrast
agents may not provide a useful signal at depths significantly
greater than 700-800 .mu.m. Because the scattering properties of
the microparticles can be manipulated by changing the size
distribution and by encapsulating scattering particles, higher
contrast should be possible.
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