Highly hydrophilic indole and benzoindole derivatives that absorb and fluoresce in the visible region of light are disclosed. These compounds are useful for physiological and organ function monitoring. Particularly, the molecules of the invention are useful for optical diagnosis of renal and cardiac diseases and for estimation of blood volume in vivo.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/688,946 filed Oct. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,744 and expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
