Optimization of nanoparticle core size for magnetic particle imaging

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 321; no. 10; pp. 1548 - 1551
• Main Authors: Ferguson, R. Matthew, Minard, Kevin R., Krishnan, Kannan M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Contrast agent; Iron oxide nanoparticle; Magnetic nanoparticle; Magnetic particle imaging; Medical sciences; Molecular imaging; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments. Material. Instrumentation; Magnetic nanoparticle; Molecular imaging; Magnetic particle imaging; Iron oxide nanoparticle; Contrast agent; Particle size; Iron oxide; Nanoparticle; Superparamagnetism; Modeling; Optimization; Tissue; Magnetic particles; Magnetite; Medical imagery; Spatial resolution
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2009.02.083

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a powerful new research and diagnostic imaging platform that is designed to image the amount and location of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in biological tissue. Here, we present mathematical modeling results that show how MPI sensitivity and spatial resolution both depend on the size of the nanoparticle core and its other physical properties, and how imaging performance can be effectively optimized through rational core design. Modeling is performed using the properties of magnetite cores, since these are readily produced with a controllable size that facilitates quantitative imaging. Results show that very low detection thresholds (of a few nanograms Fe 3O 4) and sub-millimeter spatial resolution are possible with MPI.