BACKGROUND

Provides a unique new method to diagnose and monitor vesicoureteral reflux disease (VUR) in children.

VUR is the improper flow of urine from the bladder up to the kidneys, which leads to kidney infection, scarring, renal failure and the need for dialysis and renal transplant. There are 50,000 new U.S. cases of VUR each year.

The gold standard for diagnosis and surveillance of VUR is the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). This procedure uses
X-rays with an iodinated contrast medium to image the retrograde flow of urine. This results in undesired radiation exposure to the gonads, which can have long-term negative effects.

VCUG also requires a catheter to be placed through the urethra and into the bladder. This is extremely traumatic to children and their parents.

Some pediatric urologists advocate the use of nuclear voiding cystograms, which decrease patient radiation exposure by 10-fold, for follow-up studies. But most still use a VCUG as the initial study because it provides superior anatomic definition. According to the NIH 2006 Strategic Plan for Pediatric Urology, finding a catheter-free VCUG
procedure is a national health research priority.

Using nanotechnology to develop new contrast agents for VCUGs helps create a novel system of detection that eliminates traumatic catheterizations and minimizes radiation exposure.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

Nanoparticles are designed to deliver a masked MRI contrast agent that can be unmasked in a specific organ or tissue.

These nanoparticles also can be used in other applications, including research imaging and selective drug delivery.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

Nanoparticles have been synthesized and tested in vitro

IP Protection:
Provisional patent application filed

None

File Number: 2009-010 

Web site: http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.474061...

Other Information:

Principal Investigator:
Andy Chang, MD

Additional Investigator (s):
Travis J. Williams, Emine Boz

Contact:
Jessica L. Rousset, Director
Email: JRousset@chla.usc.edu
Phone: 323.361.4531