Near infrared fluorescent contrast agent and fluorescence imaging
View Patent ↗A near infrared fluorescent contrast agent comprising a compound having three or more sulfonic acid groups in a molecule, and a method of fluorescence imaging comprising introducing the near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention into a living body, exposing the body to an excitation light, and detecting near infrared fluorescence from the contrast agent. The near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention is excited by an excitation light and emits near infrared fluorescence. This infrared fluorescence is superior in transmission through biological tissues. Thus, detection of lesions in the deep part of a living body has been made possible. In addition, the inventive contrast agent is superior in water solubility and low toxic, and therefore, it can be used safely.
1. A method of near infrared fluorescence imaging comprising introducing a compound of the formula
into a living body, exposing the body to excitation radiation, and detecting near infrared fluorescence from said compound.
2. A method of claim 1 for angiography.
3. A method of claim 1 for tumor imaging.
4. A method of claim 1 , wherein the following compound is introduced into a living body
5. A method of claim 1 , wherein the following compound is introduced into a living body
6. A method of claim 1 , wherein the following compound is introduced into a living body
7. A method of claim 6 for angiography.
8. A method of claim 6 for tumor imaging.
9. A method of claim 1 wherein the living body is a human.
10. A method of claim 6 wherein the living body is a human.
11. A method of claim 7 wherein the living body is a human.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the compound is introduced into the living body in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
13. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the compound is introduced into the living body in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.