Renally cleared zwitterionic nanocarriers (H-Dots) are composed of a epsilon-polylysine backbone for charge variations, near-infrared fluorophores for bioimaging, and beta-cyclodextrins for potential drug delivery. H-Dots show ideal systemic circulation and rapid distribution, and excrete from normal tissue/organ via renal excretion after complete targeting to the tumor site without nonspecific uptake by the immune system.