Methods and systems for noninvasive fluorescence-based functional imaging of kidneys

摘要

Methods and systems for evaluating renal function of a live subject. The method includes intravenously administering nanoparticles of a noble metal to the kidney of the live subject, followed by illuminating the kidney with a near infrared excitation wavelength such that the nanoparticles in the kidney fluoresce, and finally detecting presence or absence of nanoparticle fluorescence in the kidney. Detecting presence or absence of nanoparticle fluorescence includes obtaining at least one image of the kidney through the subject's skin.