CONTRAST AGENT CAPABLE OF BOTH ULTRASOUND CONTRAST AND NEAR INFRARED FLUORESCENCE CONTRAST

摘要

[Problem] To observe with a near infrared fluorescence contrast a relatively wide range of a shallow region, find a desired observation location (i.e. navigate), and, at the same position, observe a deep region locally and at a high resolution, this time with an ultrasound contrast. [Solution] The contrast agent capable of both ultrasound contrast and near infrared fluorescence contrast is characterized by the inclusion of an ultrasound contrast agent (A) comprising a liposome particle (1) as a dispersed substance, and physiological saline water (4) as a dispersion medium, the diameter of the liposome particle having a nano size or a micro size and the interior of the liposome particle containing a gas(2), and a near infrared fluorescence contrast agent (B) comprising a near infrared fluorescent dye (3), the liposome particle (1) and the near infrared fluorescent dye (3) being bound to one another.