Abstract: Provided are methods of contacting a tissue inside a subject with light by applying an ultrasound signal to a photoexcited mechanoluminescent particle while the mechanoluminescent particle is inside the subject and in proximity to the tissue, thereby causing the mechanoluminescent particle to emit light that contacts the tissue. Provided are systems and kits for performing such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for imaging lumen-forming structures such as blood vessels using near-infrared fluorescence in the NIR-II region of 1000-1700 nm. The fluorescence is created by excitation of solubilized nano-structures that are delivered to the structures, such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots or organic molecular fluorophores attached to hydrophilic polymers. These nanostructures fluoresce in the NIR-II region when illuminated through the skin and tissues. Fine anatomical vessel resolution down to ?30 ?m and high temporal resolution up to 5-10 frames per second is obtained for small-vessel imaging with up to 1 cm penetration depth in mouse hind limb, which compares favorably to tomographic imaging modalities such as CT and MRI with much higher spatial and temporal resolution, and compares favorably to scanning microscopic imaging techniques with much deeper penetration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for confocal microscopy in the near-infrared. wavelength. The device uses a near-infrared (NIR) light producing source such as laser; optical components designed to reflect and transmit NIR from a sample; and an NIR detector coupled to a computer for constructing a focal plane image from a raster scan. The detector may be a photodiode or photo-multiplier tube for detecting fluorescence signals in the NIR (800-1700 nm) wavelength range using a variety of NIR-I (800-1000 nm) and NIR-II (1000-1700 nm) dyes and nanomaterials. An imaging method is described using the NIR-confocal microscope for slice by slice 3D imaging of biological tissues throughout a thickness up to, for example, 5 mm in the NIR-II window. The reduced scattering in NIR-II allows for tissue penetration up to about 5-10 mm, superior to ˜0.2 mm afforded by conventional imaging.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to injectable electronics. In some aspects, the present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for interfacing an electrical cable with electrical elements, such as nanoscale wires, that are injected or otherwise introduced into a subject. The subject may be living or non-living. In one set of embodiments, electrical elements introduced within a subject may be placed in electrical communication to a circuit board using a plurality of electrically isolated contacts that the circuit board can clamp or otherwise connect to. The electrical contacts may be in electrical communication with the electrical elements using a joining portion. The circuit board can also be connected to an electrical cable that can be attached, for example, to a computer. In some cases, the electrical cable can be attached or detached to or from the circuit board, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured gold films which may be produced by solution-phase depositions of gold ions onto a variety of surfaces. The resulting plasmonic gold films are used for enhanced spectroscopic-based immunoassays in multiplexed microarray format with detection mechanisms based on either surface-enhanced Raman scattering or near-infrared fluorescence enhancement. The preparation of the films and subsequent modifications of the gold film surfaces afford increased sensitivity for various microarrays. The films are discontinuous, forming gold “islands.” Sensitivity, size, shape, and density of the nanoscopic gold islands comprising the discontinuous nanostructured gold film are controlled to enhance the intensity of Raman scattering and fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for improved measurements in clinical diagnostic or biomedical research applications.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires, nanoscale sensing elements, and/or injectable devices. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to electronic devices that can be injected or inserted into soft matter, such as biological tissue or polymeric matrixes. For example, the device may be passed through a tube into the medium. To avoid or minimize crumpling, the device may exit the tube at substantially the same rate that the tube is withdrawn from the medium. Other components, such as fluids or cells, may also be injected or inserted. In addition, in some cases, the device, after insertion or injection, may be connected to an external electrical circuit, for example, by printing a conductive path on a medium or on a flexible substrate. The path may be printed using conductive inks, e.g., containing carbon nanotubes or other suitable materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured gold films which may be produced by solution-phase depositions of gold ions onto a variety of surfaces. The resulting plasmonic gold films are used for enhanced spectroscopic-based immunoassays in multiplexed microarray format with detection mechanisms based on either surface-enhanced Raman scattering or near-infrared fluorescence enhancement. The preparation of the films and subsequent modifications of the gold film surfaces afford increased sensitivity for various microarrays. The films are discontinuous, forming gold “islands.” Sensitivity, size, shape, and density of the nanoscopic gold islands comprising the discontinuous nanostructured gold film are controlled to enhance the intensity of Raman scattering and fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for improved measurements in clinical diagnostic or biomedical research applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for compositions including organic, water-soluble NIR-II fluorescent agent that emit radiation at about 1.0 to 1.7 ?m, methods of making the composition, methods of imaging a disease and related biological events, methods of imaging, monitoring and/or assessing a disease and related biological events, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires and/or injectable devices. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to electronic devices that can be injected or inserted into soft matter, such as biological tissue or polymeric matrixes. For example, the device may be passed through a syringe or a needle. In some cases, the device may comprise one or more nanoscale wires. Other components, such as fluids or cells, may also be injected or inserted. In addition, in some cases, the device, after insertion or injection, may be connected to an external electrical circuit, e.g., to a computer. Other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods of making, using, or promoting such devices, kits involving such devices, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for imaging lumen-forming structures such as blood vessels using near-infrared fluorescence in the NIR-II region of 1000-1700 nm. The fluorescence is created by excitation of solubilized nano-structures that are delivered to the structures, such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots or organic molecular fluorophores attached to hydrophilic polymers. These nanostructures fluoresce in the NIR-II region when illuminated through the skin and tissues. Fine anatomical vessel resolution down to ?30 ?m and high temporal resolution up to 5-10 frames per second is obtained for small-vessel imaging with up to 1 cm penetration depth in mouse hind limb, which compares favorably to tomographic imaging modalities such as CT and MRI with much higher spatial and temporal resolution, and compares favorably to scanning microscopic imaging techniques with much deeper penetration.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured gold films which may be produced by solution-phase depositions of gold ions onto a variety of surfaces. The resulting plasmonic gold films are used for enhanced spectroscopic-based immunoassays in multiplexed microarray format with detection mechanisms based on either surface-enhanced Raman scattering or near-infrared fluorescence enhancement. The preparation of the films and subsequent modifications of the gold film surfaces afford increased sensitivity for various microarrays. The films are discontinuous, forming gold “islands.” Sensitivity, size, shape, and density of the nanoscopic gold islands comprising the discontinuous nanostructured gold film are controlled to enhance the intensity of Raman scattering and fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for improved measurements in clinical diagnostic or biomedical research applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for compositions including organic, water-soluble NIR-II fluorescent agent that emit radiation at about 1.0 to 1.7 ?m, methods of making the composition, methods of imaging a disease and related biological events, methods of imaging, monitoring and/or assessing a disease and related biological events, and the like.