Macromolecular dual optical and magnetic resonance imaging agents

In this work, the design, synthesis, and analysis of dual imaging particles is described, benefitting from the use of a block copolymer particle which allows controlled positioning of the imaging agents either in (1) the hydrophilic particle shell or (2) the hydrophobic particle core. Readily polymerisable MRI-active gadolinium (III) and optically active terbium (III) complexes were synthesised, allowing incorporation into the particles in 1-2 steps. Luminescence measurements of the particles showed characteristic Tb(III) line-like emission spectra. Relaxivity measurements confirmed the successful production of MRI-active macromolecules; incorporation into particle structures more than doubled the relaxivity of the Gd(III)-containing hydrophilic polymer: 13.4 mM-1s-1 to 30.2 mM-1s-1.