Abstract: Disclosed are hydrophilic functionalized silica compositions that are stable and do not show significant pH increases upon heat sterilization. Also provided are methods to make hydrophilic functionalized silica compositions by reacting acidic silica particles with hydrophilic organosilanes. Further provided are methods of separating components in a mixture using hydrophilic functionalized silica compositions.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present technique, a combined modality imaging system includes a first imaging device of a first modality and a second imaging device of a second modality that is different from the first modality. The first and the second imaging devices are both adapted to interact with a contrast agent adapted to be received in a subject. The contrast agent includes an deformable particle that has a geometry that varies in response to an emission from the first imaging device. The deformable particle also includes a fluorescent component adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation that is detectable by the second imaging device and a quenching component separated from the fluorescent component at a distance based on the geometry and that which is adapted to absorb a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the fluorescent component.