Abstract: The present invention provides optical agents comprising optically functional cross linked supramolecular structures and assemblies useful for tandem optical imaging and therapy. Supramolecular structures and assemblies of the present invention include optically functional shell-cross linked micelles wherein optical functionality is achieved via incorporation of one or more linking groups that include one or more photoactive moieties. The present invention further includes imaging and therapeutic methods using one or more optical agents of the present invention including optically functional shell cross-linked micelles having an associated therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for using renally excretable optical agents to detect one or more tissues of the renal system of a surgical patient. In certain aspects, the invention relates to a kit including a biocompatible composition containing one or more optical agents and instructions for using the optical agent(s) in a process of the present invention.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for using renally excretable optical agents to detect one or more tissues of the renal system of a surgical patient. In certain aspects, the invention relates to a kit including a biocompatible composition containing one or more optical agents and instructions for using the optical agent(s) in a process of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives capable of absorbing and emanating spectral energy in the visible and/or near infrared spectrum. Pyrazine derivatives of the invention may be administered to a patient in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition and utilized in medical (e.g., diagnostic imaging) procedures.

Abstract: Described herein are optical agents, including compositions, preparations and formulations, for monitoring the pH of a fluid. Optical agents described herein include photonic nanostructures and nanoassemblies including supramolecular structures, such as shell cross-linked micelles, that incorporate at least one linking group comprising one or more photoactive moieties that provide functionality as exogenous agents for a range of pH monitoring applications. Optical agents described herein comprise supramolecular structures having linking groups imparting useful optical and structural functionality. In an embodiment, for example, the presence of linking groups function to covalently cross link polymer components to provide a cross-linked shell stabilized supramolecular structure, and also impart useful optical functionality, for example by functioning as a fluorophore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for assessing gut function are disclosed. They are designed to provide accurate, rapid, point-of-care or in-community assessment of enteric dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to anti-angiogenesis agents and related methods of using to anti-angiogenesis agents for biomedical applications including direct monotherapy and combination therapy for treatment of an angiogenesis related condition. In an embodiment, the invention provides a class of opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives exhibiting anti-VEGF activity for use in therapeutic procedures, including phototherapy. Opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with administration of a phototherapy agent and/or other therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to anti-angiogenesis agents and related methods of using to anti-angiogenesis agents for biomedical applications including direct monotherapy and combination therapy for treatment of an angiogenesis related condition. In an embodiment, the invention provides a class of opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives exhibiting anti-VEGF activity for use in therapeutic procedures, including phototherapy. Opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with administration of a phototherapy agent and/or other therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to anti-angiogenesis agents and related methods of using to anti-angiogenesis agents for biomedical applications including direct monotherapy and combination therapy for treatment of an angiogenesis related condition. In an embodiment, the invention provides a class of opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives exhibiting anti-VEGF activity for use in therapeutic procedures, including phototherapy. Opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with administration of a phototherapy agent and/or other therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives represented by Formula I. X1 and X2 of Formula I may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups, while Y1 and Y2 of Formula I may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing organ (e.g., kidney) function. In a particular example, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative that is capable of being renally cleared may be administered into a patient's body. The pyrazine derivative may be capable of one or both absorbing and emanating spectral energy of at least about 400 nm (e.g., visible and/or infrared light). At least some of the derivative that is in the body may be exposed to spectral energy and, in turn, spectral energy may emanate from the derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a number of photoactive compounds designed to bind and inhibit serine proteases. Compounds disclosed herein may be utilized in a number of appropriate medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures such as the monitoring of hemostasis, imaging and/or treatment of vulnerable plaques, and/or tumor imaging and/or treatment.

Abstract: Provided are compounds and compositions of general Formula IX: E1-L-Ar—X-PA, that may be utilized in bioconjugation procedures, where Ar is a chromophore and PA is a functional group capable of being attached to any bioactive molecule of interest. The present invention provides Formulas I-III that are capable of being attached to a bioactive vector for the selective delivery of said photoactive pyrazine derivatives to a desired biological target.

Abstract: Novel azo, azide, and sulfenate photoactive compounds and methods using the compounds for photodiagnostic and/or phototherapeutic procedures. The compounds have the formula E-L-DYE-X—Y, wherein DYE is a photoactive component comprising a photoactive diagnostic agent, a photoactive type 1 agent, a photoactive type 2 agent, or a combination thereof; Y is a photoactive component comprising a photoactive type 1 agent, a photoactive type 2 agent, or a combination thereof; E is a targeting component for targeting the compound to an anatomical and/or physiological site of a patient; L is a linking component for linking E to DYE; and X is a linking component for linking DYE to Y.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II. X1 to X4 of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups, while Y1 to Y4 of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing organ (e.g., kidney) function. In a particular example, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative that is capable of being renally cleared may be administered into a patient's body. The pyrazine derivative may capable of one or both absorbing and emanating spectral energy of at least about 400 nm (e.g., visible and/or infrared light). At least some of the derivative that is in the body may be exposed to spectral energy and, in turn, spectral energy may emanate from the derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: Described herein are optical agents, including compositions, preparations and formulations, for monitoring the pH of a fluid. Optical agents described herein include photonic nanostructures and nanoassemblies including supramolecular structures, such as shell cross-linked micelles, that incorporate at least one linking group comprising one or more photoactive moieties that provide functionality as exogenous agents for a range of pH monitoring applications. Optical agents described herein comprise supramolecular structures having linking groups imparting useful optical and structural functionality. In an embodiment, for example, the presence of linking groups function to covalently cross link polymer components to provide a cross-linked shell stabilized supramolecular structure, and also impart useful optical functionality, for example by functioning as a fluorophore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pyrazine derivatives of Formula I: Formula I; wherein each of X1 and X2 is independently —CONR7R9; and each of Y1 and Y2 is independently —NR48R49; and methods of using the same. The disclosed pyrazine derivatives include those having urea, amide, sulfonamide, thiourea, and/or carbamate substituents. Among the various aspects of the present invention are pyrazine derivatives that may be detected in vivo and used in a number of medical procedures (e.g., renal function monitoring). Without being bound by a particular theory, the pyrazine derivatives described herein may be designed to be hydrophilic, thus allowing for rapid renal clearance for continuous monitoring of renal function.