Method of measuring propulsion in lymphatic structures

Abstract

Novel methods and imaging agents for functional imaging of lymph structures are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the methods utilize highly sensitive optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques to track or monitor packets of organic dye flowing in one or more lymphatic structures. The packets of organic dye may be tracked to provide quantitative information regarding lymph propulsion and function. In particular, lymph flow velocity and pulse frequency may be determined using the disclosed methods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 840,256, filed Aug. 25, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 823,481, filed Aug. 24, 2006, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 844,807 entitled Imaging Agents for Functional Imaging of Lymphatic Structures, filed Aug. 24, 2007, Attorney Docket No. 1373-03901, is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01 CA112679). BACKGROUND [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention relates generally to the field of biomedical imaging. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of functionally imaging and measuring lymphatic function by assessing lymph propulsion in lymphatic structures. [0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes methods and imaging agents for non-invasive imaging of lymph structures using optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques. The methods involve administering organic dyes to lymph structures and detecting the dye's emission using excitation light. The imaging agents target lymph endothelial cell receptors, which are related to tumor formation. The methods can be used to measure lymph propulsion and function, as well as to stain lymph structures for detailed imaging and potential markers of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The patent provides a non-invasive way to assess lymph function in deep lymph structures.

Problems solved by technology

The impairment of lymphatic transport capacity occurs due to either 1) lymph vessel damage and subsequent insufficient repair processes, or 2) congenital defects leading to abnormal lymph vessel development.

Regardless of the cause, the impairment causes fluid and protein accumulation, which in turn leads to lymphedema.

There is a paucity of strategies for predicting or managing lymphedema due in part to the lack of diagnostic imaging approaches to noninvasively and routinely measure lymphatic function.

However, there are presently very few technologies with the ability to non-invasively image the lymphatic system in vivo and in real time.

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