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Synthesis, Characterization and Swelling Ratios of pH-Sensing Solid-State Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents
Michael Concepción Santana1, Gregory J. Ekchian2, Michael J. Cima2,3
1 Biomedical Engineering Department,Polythecnic University, San Juan, Puerto Rico 2 Materials and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords: Materials Science and Engineering, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), (MRI) contrast agents
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive method that uses magnetic fields to produce internal images of the body with good contrast between soft tissues. MRI scans of the body can be augmented with the addition of liquid contrast agents. These agents are frequently gadolinium based and aid in the characterization of tissue damage and tumors. The objective of this project is to synthesize a pH-sensing MRI contrast agent that is sensitive in the neutral pH range (6.5 to 7.4). MRI depends on the excitation and relaxation of protons. The difference in the rate at which the protons relax can provide contrast in images between different types of tissue and foreign materials and tissue. Bound protons on hydrogels tend to have shorter relaxation times compared to protons on free water molecules. The project includes the synthesis of copolymer hydrogel-based contrast agents. These materials were characterized using Time Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (Bruker Minispec, 0.47T) and swelling ratios calculations. MRI depends on the excitation and relaxation of protons.
*Poster Presentation*
Author(s):
Michael Concepcion
Biomedical Engineering Department
American Chemical Engineering Society
Puerto Rico