Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides new technologies for preparation of anisotropic nanoparticle cores (e.g., anisotropic gold nanoparticle cores) and compositions thereof. Provided technologies show a number of advantages as compared with previously available options for preparing anisotropic nanoparticle cores, including, for example, that they typically utilize mild reaction conditions and, in many embodiments, only environmentally benign agents. The present invention therefore provides “green” nanoparticle technologies. Surprisingly, in many cases, the same set of reactants can be used, under modestly different conditions, to generate nanoparticle cores of different shapes. The present invention provides selection rules for reaction conditions that generate populations containing particular shapes of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented herein that permit real-time, accurate detection of residual tumor in the operating room. The Raman-based wide-field imaging apparatus and methods described herein permit real-time imaging of tumor-targeted R-MR nanoparticles over a wide field. Apparatus and methods are presented herein for operating a Raman-based resection system.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides a composition including a nanoscale core; a plurality of capping agent entities associated on the core; an outer encapsulant layer; and a plurality of dopant entities distributed at locations selected from the group consisting of: on or within the nanoscale core, on or between capping agent entities, on or within the encapsulating layer, and combinations thereof. Provided technologies can achieve unprecedented levels of dopant entity density and/or surface localization, which, for a SE(R)RS-active agent dopant, results in dramatically improved signal intensity and/or imaging sensitivity.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides a composition of a particle including a substrate; at least a first condensation layer comprising at least a first dopant entity; and at least a second layer comprising a second dopant entity. In some embodiments, different dopant entities are included in different layers. In some embodiments, such dopant entities are or comprise detectable entities. This, in some embodiments, provided technologies achieve multi-modality particles. Among the many advantages of provided technologies include the ability to image particles by a plurality of distinct imaging modalities and/or in a plurality of contexts (e.g., pre-surgical, intraoperative and/or post-surgical environments).

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides new technologies for preparation of anisotropic nanoparticle cores (e.g., anisotropic gold nanoparticle cores) and compositions thereof. Provided technologies show a number of advantages as compared with previously available options for preparing anisotropic nanoparticle cores, including, for example, that they typically utilize mild reaction conditions and, in many embodiments, only environmentally benign agents. The present invention therefore provides “green” nanoparticle technologies. Surprisingly, in many cases, the same set of reactants can be used, under modestly different conditions, to generate nanoparticle cores of different shapes. The present invention provides selection rules for reaction conditions that generate populations containing particular shapes of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented herein that permit real-time, accurate detection of residual tumor in the operating room. The Raman-based wide-field imaging apparatus and methods described herein permit real-time imaging of tumor-targeted R-MR nanoparticles over a wide field.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides a composition of a particle including a substrate; at least a first condensation layer comprising at least a first dopant entity; and at least a second layer comprising a second dopant entity. In some embodiments, different dopant entities are included in different layers. In some embodiments, such dopant entities are or comprise detectable entities. This, in some embodiments, provided technologies achieve multi-modality particles. Among the many advantages of provided technologies include the ability to image particles by a plurality of distinct imaging modalities and/or in a plurality of contexts (e.g., pre-surgical, intraoperative and/or post-surgical environments).

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides a composition including a nanoscale core; a plurality of capping agent entities associated on the core; an outer encapsulant layer; and a plurality of dopant entities distributed at locations selected from the group consisting of: on or within the nanoscale core, on or between capping agent entities, on or within the encapsulating layer, and combinations thereof. Provided technologies can achieve unprecedented levels of dopant entity density and/or surface localization, which, for a SE(R)RS-active agent dopant, results in dramatically improved signal intensity and/or imaging sensitivity.

Abstract: A Raman-based resection system and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. The method includes producing, via an ablation laser, an interrogation electromagnetic radiation over a scanning point of a sample having been treated with a Raman reporter, the ablation laser illuminating the scanning point at an interrogation power level; acquiring, via a detector, a signal indicative of scattered photons emanating from the scanning point following the illumination; determining, via a processor, whether the acquired signal is indicative of the presence of the Raman reporter in and/or upon the scanning point; and, responsive to a determination of the presence of the Raman reporter in and/or upon the scanning point, producing, via the ablation laser, an ablation electromagnetic radiation over the scanning point to ablate tissue at the scanning point, wherein the ablation electromagnetic radiation is at a power level sufficient to ablate tissue.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and devices for automated laser ablation and/or tissue resection triggered by Raman spectroscopic information. These systems and methods provide for precise removal of cancerous or other diseased tissue with minimal damage to adjacent healthy tissue.