UCLA researchers in the Departments of Physics and Biology in Medicine and Radiation Oncology have developed a system of tissue-mimicking materials that produce contrast in both magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging modalities.
BACKGROUND:
Traditionally, the standard protocol for performing diagnosis and radiation treatment planning of cancer patients involved both magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Since these tests were performed separately, the calibration materials only needed to produce contrast in the respective modalities. However, the recent advent of MR-only radiation treatment planning has introduced the need for materials that produce contrast in both MR and CT imaging modalities, which requires the multimodal materials to match both the electron density and the local magnetic field properties of human tissues. While notable attempts have been made to produce multimodal tissue-mimicking materials, they are limited in the MR field strength, stability, and tunability.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers have developed a class of materials with tunable electron density and local magnetic field properties, which can be used to mimic a wide range of human tissues including soft tissue, fat, and bone. These materials feature simple production procedures and tissue-like contrast in both MR (0.35–3 T) and CT imaging modalities.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Calibration standard for both MR and CT imaging
ADVANTAGES:
• Mimics various types of tissues
• Produces contrast in both MR (low and high field) and CT imaging
• Simple, tunable production