Cryo-SEM Characterization of Multimodal Injectable Soft Tissue Markers: A Novel Tool for Diagnostic Imaging and Therapeutic Intervention in Cancer Treatment

Multimodal injectable fiducial markers comprised of hydrophobic, viscoelastic (“gel-like”) oligosaccharides are a novel invention for use in diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention in cancer treatment. These gel-like markers are based on esterified carbohydrates that form homogenous injectable liquids when dissolved in biocompatible co-solvents such as ethanol. The carbohydrate scaffolds in the gel-like structures can be functionalized to enable multiple imaging modalities including computed tomography, near infrared (NIR) imaging, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, and can also be tuned to form solid markers for in situ palpation.