Fluorescence is increasingly used for in vivo imaging and has provided remarkable results. Howerver this technique presents several limitations, especially due to tissue autofluorescence under external illumination and weak tissue penetration of low wavelength excitation light. We have developed an alternative optical imaging technique using persistent luminescent nanoparticles suitable for small animal imaging. These nanoparticles can be excited before the injection, and their in vivo distribution can be followed in real-time for several hours. Chemical modifications of their surface is possible leading to lung or liver targeting, or to long-lasting blood circulation.

Date Published: 3 March 2009
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7189, Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications IV, 71890B (3 March 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.819316

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7189:
Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications IV
Marek Osinski; Thomas M. Jovin M.D.; Kenji Yamamoto M.D., Editor(s)