Project Details
Projekt
Establishment of quantitative Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) application oriented phantoms for preclinical investigations
Subject Area
Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
Term
from 2015 to 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 280586248
In a recent call DFG has funded Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) scanners in order to provide researchers the opportunity to explore the potential of this imaging method. This requires clarifying the fundamentals of the novel imaging modality, such as, e.g., detection limits and image resolution of the MPI-scanners. Further peculiar questions will emerge from particular medical applications resulting from the specific local configuration of the MPI-tracer, e.g., in a vascular system or in a tumor.This project aims to establish a metrological infrastructure to accomplish controlled and validated experimental conditions, which will serve as a sound basis for a quantitative MPI.To this end, dedicated phantoms shall be developed and provided, by which individual imaging properties of an MPI scanner can be metrologically monitored. In particular the resolution as well as quantification of tracer amount and distribution in realistic medical environments will be addressed. Further, the congruence of anatomy and tracer distribution at a MRT-MPI coregistration shall be investigated. In addition to MRT we will employ magnetorelaxometry as an independent, spatially resolving reference technique to assess MPI results.For realistic examination of the MPI scanner performance the phantoms have to reflect the essential properties of the intended medical MPI application in a controlled manner. This comprises concentration variations, mobility and viscosity of the MPI tracer, as well as velocity, temperature, viscosity, and diameter of the physiological medium (blood).By this approach the validity of the MPI measurements in an in-vivo setting will be increased and the design of preclinical studies will be put on a reliable, sound basis increasing the prospects of success of these projects. As a consequence the number of animal testing can be reduced. The resulting long-term stable phantoms will be made available to physicians and physicists who work with the two DFG-funded MPI scanner sites for exploring the potential of this promising technique.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
Co-Investigators
Professor Dr. Christoph Alexiou; Professor Dr. Matthias Taupitz
