This imaging technique, called "Nanojuice," could allow doctors to see the muscles contract as food moves through the small intestine. Observing this process in "real time" could really assist doctors in accurately diagnosing patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
What makes this imaging technique function is ingestion of liquid that contains suspended nanoparticles. The nanoparticle base has a "family of dyes" called napthalcyanines. These molecules are great at absorbing light, which makes them an ideal contrast agent. However, it doesn't make them suitable for the human body. Reason being, with having the dye as the base, particles could become absorbed in the intestines and then venture out into the blood stream.
In order to remedy this problem, researchers decided to INJECT the dye into the nanoparticles. This change actually helped for successful disbursement.
Researchers did experiment with the Nanojuice using mice. They injected the Nanojuice, orally, then used ultrasound imaging to help visualize (via the nanoparticles) what was happening in the intestine.
Researchers are currently working on taking this breakthrough to the next step, with human trials.
They also want to use the Nanojuice to test other regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
My Two Cents:
With the surge of people being diagnosed with Celiac disease, I think it's amazing that they are coming out with new methods to diagnose people with. I also suffer from other GI diseases, and I am "inconclusive" for Crohn's Disease. If we could get more accurate testing methods, can you imagine how many more lives could be spared from years of sickness and pain? It just blows my mind.
[photo credit: www.digitaljournal.com , www.1ohww.org ]
