Comparison of resolution between conventional MRI contrast media and Psio contrast mediaA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast medium was released that can see even the fine blood vessels of the thickness of our body hair.
On the 9th, the joint research team of Jin-woo Cheon (Professor of Chemistry Department at Yonsei University) and Professor Byung-Wook Choi of Yonsei University Medical School has developed an MRI contrast agent that can create a three-dimensional blood vessel map that is 10 times more precise than before.
3D MRI Cerebrovascular Map Using Psio Contrast Agent MRI is a diagnostic equipment capable of taking high-resolution images of conditions that are difficult to identify with computed tomography (CT) or X-rays.
It is mainly used to diagnose brain and cardiovascular diseases to determine whether blood vessels in the brain and heart are narrowed or blocked.
MRI contrast agents are administered to the human body so that tissues and blood vessels can be clearly seen during imaging, but the particle size is too large for conventional contrast agents, making it difficult to see microvessels.
The polymeric iron oxide contrast agent’SAIO’ developed by the research team is 5 nm (nanometer, 1 millionth of a millimeter), which is only one 1,500th of the average diameter of microvessels (0.2~0.8㎜).
It can move around all blood vessels in the body and has a high resolution, allowing you to see blood vessels 10 times more closely than general contrast media used in existing clinical trials.
The research team succeeded in creating a three-dimensional MRI cerebrovascular map that can clearly see microvessels with a diameter of 0.1mm, which is the thickness of a hair, by taking an MRI of the mouse’s brain using a Psio contrast agent.
It is expected to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of brain and cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, and dementia.
In particular, iron is used as the main component and can be completely excreted in urine after an MRI scan.
Psio contrast agent collected in the bladder In the case of existing gadolinium contrast agents, healthy people can excrete through the kidneys, but patients with severe chronic kidney disease can have side effects such as renal systemic fibrosis.
“If the MRI technology so far can only be seen on highways, Psio MRI imaging is a technology that allows you to see narrow alleys in detail,” said Chun Jin-woo. “We will contribute to the development of a next-generation contrast medium that satisfies both resolution and safety.”
The results of this study were published on the date of the international journal’Nature Biomedical Engineering’.
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