RADIOGRAPHIC NANOPARTICLE CONTRAST AGENTS FOR DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY IMAGING AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCANNING AND METHODS OF USING THEREOF

摘要

Nanoparticles and nanoprobes for use as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging techniques, CT scanning techniques, MRI and optical imaging are disclosed. The nanoparticles and nanoprobes include a core having a contrast element characterized by a K-edge value ranging from about 17 to about 49 keV, and a stabilizing element which minimizes one or both of cytotoxicity and immunoreactivity of the contrast element. A first coating layer encapsulates the core, the first coating layer conFIGured to render the nanoparticles soluble in a biological medium. A method for dual energy x-ray imaging includes the steps of administering to a subject the nanoparticles disclosed herein as a contrast agent; acquiring an image with a low energy spectrum; and acquiring an image with a high energy spectrum.