Photo-stimulatable Particle Systems, Method for Producing Same, and Uses Thereof

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a system of photo-stimulatable nanoparticles that can be 'charged' with energy using light (especially UV, blue, X-ray, or electron beams) and then triggered later by a light pulse (often in the red or infrared spectrum) to emit stored luminescent signals. These nanoparticles are designed to have a persistent storage of the input energy and precise, delayed, and controlled emission of light. They can be chemically tailored for various functions and surface properties to make them suitable as optical labels in diagnostics, security marking, and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Biological and medical diagnostics as persistent luminescent markers for tracking cells, proteins, or other biomolecules.
• Photonic labels or probes for high-resolution monitoring of diffusion and transport processes in living tissue or in vitro experiments.
• Security printing and manufacturing as markings for verifying the authenticity of products or security documents.
• Anti-counterfeiting: hidden or long-lasting markers to detect fakes and distinguish original goods.
• Contrast agents for biomedical imaging, allowing delayed, background-free detection in optical studies and in vivo imaging.
• Forensic applications, such as marking or tracing materials for evidence tracking.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows for time-delayed readout of optical signals, minimizing background noise and enabling background-free detection.
• Photo-stimulated emission can be precisely triggered, providing flexibility and control for diagnostic or security assays.
• Nanoparticles can emit in biologically relevant windows (650-1200 nm), enhancing deep tissue imaging and lowering tissue autofluorescence interference.
• Engineered for persistent luminescence—signals can last minutes to hours and be re-activated multiple times.
• Customizable surface chemistry enables functionalization for specific biological or chemical targets.
• Composed of a broad range of chemically tunable materials, enabling optimization for different applications, such as low toxicity for biomedical use or environmental stability for security uses.
• Production methods allow for monodisperse, stable particles suitable for high-resolution and reproducible uses.
• Reduced photobleaching compared to traditional organic dyes, enabling longer-term studies and repeated signal triggering.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to particle systems that can be stimulated, in particular photo-stimulated, and to the use thereof as luminescent markers for biological and medical diagnostics, as an optically detectable diffusion probe or as a substrate for producing security systems, and as a marking for detecting counterfeits and/or originals.