University of California

Robert Mattrey

Joseph Wang

Emilia S Olson

Wei Gao

Zhe Wu

Christopher D Malone

A method and system are provided for detection of localized hydrogen peroxide within tissue by introducing a catalase-containing material into at location of interest, positioning an ultrasound transducer over the location, and generating an ultrasound image to detect microbubbles, where the presence of microbubbles indicate the presence of localized hydrogen peroxide. The catalase-coated surface may be the inner surface of a microtube, on the surface of or incorporated within a nanosphere or microsphere, or an implantable device.

Method and system for in vivo hydrogen peroxide detection with ultrasound

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for identifying the sentinel lymph node in a drainage field for a tissue or organ in a subject. In select embodiments, the invention allows for the identification of the first or sentinel lymph node that drains the tissue or organ, particularly those tissues associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, and within the pertinent lymph drainage basin. Once the drainage basin from the tissue or organ, i.e., the sentinel lymph node, is identified, a pre-operative or intraoperative mapping of the affected lymphatic structure can be carried out with a contrast agent. Identification of the first or sentinel lymph node, on the most direct drainage pathway in the drainage field, can be accomplished by a variety of imaging techniques, including ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear and others. Moreover, once the lymphatic structure is identified as being associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, the affected lymphatic structure can be removed surgically or by a suitable minimally invasive procedure to allow pathological analysis to be performed to determine whether certain diseases or disorders exist, without resort to more radical lymphadenectomy. Further, the agent can be made to carry diagnostic or therapeutic probes to be activated and/or delivered to the injection site or any part of the lymphatic pathway downstream from the injection site.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Robert Mattrey