Researchers from the University of Buffalo (NY) have come up with a fluorescent dye and nanoparticle “cocktail” they believe will enhance the diagnosis of gastrointestinal ailments in patients. The nanojuice cocktail will allow physicians and radiologists to be able to capture more detailed images of the small intestines when combined with photoacoustic tomography. Patients would drink the nanojuice just as they would other liquids used in diagnostic imaging techniques.
The researchers were quoted as saying that, “Conventional imaging methods show the organ and blockages… this method allows the technician and physician to view how the small intestine operates in real time.” This, they say will lead to improvements in gastrointestinal diseases and allow doctors to formulate better treatment plans.
Near-infrared fluorescent dyes, called naphthalcyanines were used and the researchers encapsulated the dyes within nanoparticles that will disperse in liquid and move through the patients’ digestive tract. They will not be absorbed into their blood.
The photoacoustic tomography procedure may bring benefits over the existing approaches to current imaging as x-rays are not recommended for repeated use. Other technologies such as MRIs and ultrasounds are expensive and still do not provide enough contrast nor do they allow for real-time medical imaging.
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