Hongmin Chen, 42Bishop, GA

2017021, Aug 3, 2017

Jul 30, 2015

15/500691

- Athens GA, US
Hongmin Chen - Athens GA, US
Geoffrey D. Wang - Athens GA, US

A61K 49/18
A61B 5/055
G01R 33/56
A61B 5/00

Nanoparticles described as metal-encapsulated carbonaceous dots or M@C-dots are disclosed. Also disclosed are specific M@C-dots with gadolinium, so called Gd@C-dots. These nanoparticles are biologically inert and preclude the release of metal in biological environments. In addition, despite a dimension exceeding the commonly recognized threshold for renal clearance, the disclosed nanoparticles can be efficiently cleared via urine after systematic injection. Methods of making and using such nanoparticles are also disclosed.

2017020, Jul 27, 2017

Jun 18, 2015

15/320078

- Athens GA, US
Hongmin Chen - Athens GA, US
Geoffrey D. Wang - Athens GA, US

A61K 41/00
A61N 5/06

Photodynamic therapy systems comprising a nanoparticle that emits electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, a photosensitizer which absorbs electromagnetic radiation of said first wavelength and a biocompatible mesoporous material are disclosed herein. In some examples, the photodynamic therapy system comprises a core comprising the nanoparticle, a first shell comprising the biocompatible mesoporous material, and a photosensitizer embedded in the first shell. Upon irradiation by, for example, X-rays, the nanoparticle can function as a transducer, converting X-ray photons to visible photons, and in turn, activating the photosensitizers. Methods of using the photodynamic therapy system are also disclosed.

2017015, Jun 1, 2017

Nov 28, 2016

15/361784

- Athens GA, US
Hongmin Chen - Athens GA, US
Zibo Li - Chapel Hill NC, US

A61K 49/18
C01B 31/02

Gd-encapsulated carbonaceous dots (Gd@C-dots) hold great potential in clinical translation as Ti contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. However, current synthetic techniques yield particles with poor size control; hence, time-consuming size selection is often needed to obtain particles of desired sizes. Disclosed is a process whereby mesoporous silica nanoparticles are used as templates for size-controlled synthesis of Gd@C-dots. The disclosed methods involve calcining a mixture comprising a mesoporous silica nanoparticle, a gadolinium-containing compound, and a chelator, thereby forming the nanoparticles of gadolinium within the mesoporous silica nanoparticle; and removing the mesoporous silica nanoparticle from the nanoparticles of gadolinium.