Abstract: Described are Chemical Exchange-dependent Saturation Transfer (CEST) contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) comprising a polymersome provided with a paramagnetic agent. The polymersome preferably comprises a polymeric shell enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises a pool of proton analytes, and wherein the shell allows diffusion of the proton analytes. The polymersome-based CEST MRI contrast agents are suitable as drug carriers useful in MRI-guided drug release.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring MR images (200-216) of an object, said object comprising at least first and second kinds of nuclei, the method comprising: acquiring (300; 304) first MR image data (200; 202; 204) of the object, wherein the first nuclei are excited, acquiring (302) second MR image data (206-216) of the object, wherein the second nuclei are excited, analyzing the first MR image data (200; 202; 204) determining motion parameters describing a motion of the object based on said analysis, motion correcting the first and/or second MR image data (206-216) using said motion parameters.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance monitoring of a target (30) uses the detected magnetic resonance to determine movement such as diffusion of contrast agent relative to the object, and uses the movement to discriminate (50, 60) a part of the contrast agent which is bound to the target, from the rest of the contrast agent. The need for clearing agents can be avoided or reduced, and hence imaging is instantaneous. A “stationary spin map” of the object can be formed by comparing the movements in the different directions, and determining if the differences between them are less than a given threshold. Determining isotropic movement in this way for a number of locations on the object allows the map to be generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for MRI imaging to obtain information about a local physiochemical parameter after administration to a patient of a contrast agent comprising at least one non-responsive contrast enhancing entity that does not occur naturally in a human body and at least one responsive contrast enhancing entity attached to or mixed with the non-responsive contrast enhancing entity. By using such non-responsive contrast enhancing entities, a value for the physicochemical parameter can be obtained by acquiring only three images through which the method according to the present invention will be easier to apply in clinical routine since it will be faster and less sensitive to motion or flow artefacts.

Abstract: A method of making a suspension of particles in a first fluid of a size suitable for responding to ultrasound, by forcing a second fluid (2) through an array of pores (30) into the first fluid (1), the pores being of substantially uniform diameter, and the pressure of the second fluid and a flow rate of the first fluid across the pores being arranged so that shear forces at the pores cause the second fluid to be suspended as substantially monodisperse particles in the first fluid. This can enable a more monodisperse suspension. The array of pores can be an etched silicon array. The suspension can be used as a contrast agent, or can be an emulsion to make droplets of a precursor material, which can be formed into capsules with a core and a shell. A liquid core can be converted to a gas to provide hollow shells.

Abstract: The Staudinger reaction can be used for activation of prodrugs or pro-imaging probes. The invention relates to a method of preparing and activating prodrugs or pro-imaging probes by using the Staudinger reaction and to kits for medical imaging and/or therapy comprising at least one prodrug and/or pro-imaging probe comprising at least one azide and/or phosphine group.

Abstract: The use of a selective chemical and bioorthogonal reaction providing a covalent ligation such as the [3+2] cycloaddition, in targeted molecular imaging and therapy is presented, more specifically with interesting applications for pre-targeted imaging or therapy. Current pre-targeted imaging is hampered by the fact that it relies solely on natural/biological targeting constructs (biotin/streptavidin). Size considerations and limitations associated with their endogenous nature severely limit the number of applications. The present invention describes how the use of an abiotic, bio-orthogonal reaction which forms a stable adduct under physiological conditions, by way of a small or undetectable bond, can overcome these limitations.

Abstract: A method is provided that prepares resuspendable particles of a compound. The particles are prepared by drying a liquid that comprises the compound. The particles are dried in such a way that they do not aggregate on redispersion. The particles that are thus obtained are especially suitable for use in bio sensors, as contrast agent or as part of a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance monitoring of a target (30) uses the detected magnetic resonance to determine movement such as diffusion of contrast agent relative to the object, and uses the movement to discriminate (50, 60) a part of the contrast agent which is bound to the target, from the rest of the contrast agent. The need for clearing agents can be avoided or reduced, and hence imaging is instantaneous. A “stationary spin map” of the object can be formed by comparing the movements in the different directions, and determining if the differences between them are less than a given threshold. Determining isotropic movement in this way for a number of locations on the object allows the map to be generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method MRI imaging. By applying a time modulation to the contrast enhancement of an MRI contrast agent, the method according to the invention leads to images with improved signal-to-noise ratio in the contrast-enhanced areas, strongly suppressed unwanted signal in the unenhanced areas, and reduced artefacts, such as motion artefacts.

Abstract: The invention provides MRI contrast agents which provide a high sensitivity and which have an optimised body retention time. These agents enable the mapping of the local pH, temperature, oxygen concentration or other metabolites in a patient's body by the use of Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST). Particularly pH and temperature mapping are useful for the detection of small cancer lesions and localised inflammation respectively.

Abstract: The use of a selective chemical and bioorthogonal reaction providing a covalent ligation such as the Staudinger ligation, in targeted molecular imaging and therapy is presented, more specifically with interesting applications for pre-targeted imaging or therapy. Current pre-targeted imaging is hampered by the fact that it relies solely on natural/biological targeting constructs (i.e. biotin/streptavidin). Size considerations and limitations associated with their endogenous nature severely limit the number of applications. The present invention describes how the use of an abiotic, bio-orthogonal reaction which forms a stable adduct under physiological conditions, by way of a small or undetectable bond, can overcome these limitations.

Abstract: FDG alternatives are provided. They consist of a two component system comprising on the one hand a building block such as glucose linked to an azide, alkyne or phosphine and on the other hand a detectable label linked to an azide, alkyne or phosphine which is the counterpart of the group linked to glucose in a Staudinger ligation reaction or a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction. It is preferred that the glucose is linked to an azide group and the detectable label is linked to a phosphine or cycloalkyne group. The detectable label is preferably a PET radionuclide label such as 18F.