Three-dimensional fluid pressure mapping in porous media using magnetic resonance imaging with gas-filled liposomes

This paper presents and demonstrates a method for using magnetic resonance imaging to measure local pressure of a fluid saturating a porous medium. The method is tested both in a static system of packed silica gel and in saturated sintered glass cylinders experiencing fluid flow. The fluid used contains 3% gas in the form of 3-μm average diameter gas filled 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C18:0, MW: 790.16) liposomes suspended in 5% glycerol and 0.5% Methyl cellulose with water. Preliminary studies at 2.35 T demonstrate relative magnetic resonance signal changes of 20% per bar in bulk fluid for an echo time T_E=40 ms, and 6-10% in consolidated porous media for T_E=10 ms, over the range 0.8-1.8 bar for a spatial resolution of 0.1 mm³ and a temporal resolution of 30 s. The stability of this solution with relation to applied pressure and methods for improving sensitivity are discussed. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.