MRI pressure and stress measurement in novel homogeneous soft solids

Robert Morris*, Martin Bencsik, Nikolaus Nestle, Randip Kaur, Petrik Galvosas, Yvonne Perrie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

This paper presents MRI measurements of a novel semi solid MR contrast agent to pressure. The agent is comprised of potassium chloride cross linked carageenan gum at a concentration of 2% w/v, with micron size lipid coated bubbles of air at a concentration of 3% v/v. The choice for an optimum suspending medium, the methods of production and the preliminary MRI results are presented herein. The carageenan gum is shown to be ideally elastic for compressions relating to volume changes less than 15%, in contrast to the inelastic gellan gum also tested. Although slightly lower than that of gellan gum, carageenan has a water diffusion coefficient of 1.72×10-9 m2.s-1 indicating its suitability to this purpose. RARE imaging is performed whilst simultaneously compressing test and control samples and a maximum sensitivity of 1.6% MR signal change per % volume change is found which is shown to be independent of proton density variations due to the presence of microbubbles and compression. This contrast agent could prove useful for numerous applications, and particularly in chemical engineering. More generally the method allows the user to non-invasively image with MRI any process that causes, within the solid, local changes either in bubble size or bubble shape.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMagnetic resonance in porous media
Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of the 9th international Bologna conference on magnetic resonance in porous media (MRPM9), including 8th colloquium on mobile magnetic resonance (CMMR8)
EditorsMartin D. Hürlimann, Yi Qiao Song , Paolai Fantazzini, Villiam Bortolotti
PublisherAIP
Pages63-66
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)978-0-7354-0612-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Dec 2008
Event9th International Bologna Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Porous Media, including 8th Colloquium on Mobile Magnetic Resonance - Cambridge, MA, United States
Duration: 13 Jul 200817 Jul 2008

Publication series

NameAIP conference proceedings
PublisherAIP
Volume1081
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference9th International Bologna Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Porous Media, including 8th Colloquium on Mobile Magnetic Resonance
Abbreviated titleMRPM9, including CMMR8
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCambridge, MA
Period13/07/0817/07/08

Keywords

  • Contrast agent
  • Microbubble
  • MRI
  • Pressure
  • Solid

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