Abstract: Cyanine dye bioconjugates useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy are disclosed. The conjugates include several cyanine dyes with a variety of bis- and tetrakis (carboxylic acid) homologes. The compounds may be conjugated to bioactive peptides, carbohydrates, hormones, drugs, or other bioactive agents. The small size of the compounds allows more favorable delivery to tumor cells as compared to larger molecular weight imaging agents. The various dyes are useful over the range of 350 to 1,300 nm, the exact range being dependent upon the particular dye. The use of dimethylsulfoxide helps to maintain the fluorescence of the compounds. The inventive compounds are useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy, in endoscopic applications for the detection of tumors and other abnormalities, for localized therapy, for photoacoustic tumor imaging, detection and therapy, and for sonofluorescence tumor imaging, detection and therapy.

Abstract: A composition comprising non-covalent carrier-hapten bioconjugates having the formula: HM-CM wherein HM is a hapten molecule whose molecular weight is generally, but not always, less than 1000 Daltons and is capable of performing specific functions; CM is a carrier molecule, whose molecular weight is generally, but not always, more than 1000 Daltons and is capable of transporting the hapten to a specific site; and the dashed line is a non-covalent bond between the carrier molecule and the hapten molecule. Preferably, the bioconjugates are formed from fluorescent dye haptens such as cyanine, indocyanine, squaraine, porphyrrins, Rose Bengal, and methylene blue dye and carrier molecules such as methylated serum albumin, polyarginine, polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, cyclodextrin, and inulin. The bioconjugates are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures because they are stable in vitro before being used and stable in vivo during and after use.

Abstract: Cyanine dye bioconjugates useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy are disclosed. The conjugates include several cyanine dyes with a variety of bis- and tetrakis (carboxylic acid) homologes. The compounds may be conjugated to bioactive peptides, carbohydrates, hormones, drugs, or other bioactive agents. The small size of the compounds allows more favorable delivery to tumor cells as compared to larger molecular weight imaging agents. The various dyes are useful over the range of 350 to 1,300 nm, the exact range being dependent upon the particular dye. The use of dimethylsulfoxide helps to maintain the fluorescence of the compounds. The inventive compounds are useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy, in endoscopic applications for the detection of tumors and other abnormalities, for localized therapy, for photoacoustic tumor imaging, detection and therapy, and for sonofluorescence tumor imaging, detection and therapy.

Abstract: A method of measuring physiological function of a group of body cells, includes the step of selecting a detectable agent capable of absorbing or emitting a measurable electromagnetic emission. The agent is introduced into body fluid which contacts the group of body cells. The absorbance or emission is measured, and physiological function is determined based on measurement of the absorbance or emission. Measurements may be made noninvasively or with the use of a modified pulmonary artery catheter. Multiple agents which can be distinguished from each other can be utilized simultaneously to measure multiple physiological functions at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ligands for forming metal complexes that absorb or fluoresce in the visible or near-infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, new complexes incorporating such ligands, process for preparing such complexes, and methods of imaging or therapy using such agents. More particularly, the present invention specifically pertains to novel metal complexes derived from quinoline based heterocyclic N2O3, N3O3, N3O4, N3O5 and N2OS ligands, and are useful as general imaging, diagnostic, or therapeutic agents employing optical, nuclear medicine, or magnetic resonance procedures.

Abstract: Inhalable ultrasound contrast imaging agents that are capable of forming microbubbles in vivo after administration to a patient are provided. The imaging agent is comprised of a gaseous mixture of an insoluble perfluorocarbon gas and at least about 20% oxygen by volume that is administered by a standard inhalation apparatus. Carbogen may be mixed with the insoluble perfluorocarbon gas in an amount sufficient to provide 20% oxygen by volume in the final gaseous mixture. A method of ultrasound imaging an individual by administering the gaseous composition of the invention to an individual by an inhalation apparatus and then subjecting the individual to an ultrasound scan is also provided.