Jürgen Weizenecker

Bio: Jürgen Weizenecker is an academic researcher from Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Magnetic particle imaging & Magnetic nanoparticles. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 51 publications receiving 4297 citations. Previous affiliations of Jürgen Weizenecker include Philips.

Tomographic imaging using the nonlinear response of magnetic particles

Abstract: The use of contrast agents and tracers in medical imaging has a long history. They provide important information for diagnosis and therapy, but for some desired applications, a higher resolution is required than can be obtained using the currently available medical imaging techniques. Consider, for example, the use of magnetic tracers in magnetic resonance imaging: detection thresholds for in vitro and in vivo imaging are such that the background signal from the host tissue is a crucial limiting factor. A sensitive method for detecting the magnetic particles directly is to measure their magnetic fields using relaxometry; but this approach has the drawback that the inverse problem (associated with transforming the data into a spatial image) is ill posed and therefore yields low spatial resolution. Here we present a method for obtaining a high-resolution image of such tracers that takes advantage of the nonlinear magnetization curve of small magnetic particles. Initial 'phantom' experiments are reported that demonstrate the feasibility of the imaging method. The resolution that we achieve is already well below 1 mm. We evaluate the prospects for further improvement, and show that the method has the potential to be developed into an imaging method characterized by both high spatial resolution as well as high sensitivity.

Three-dimensional real-time in vivo magnetic particle imaging

Abstract: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new tomographic imaging method potentially capable of rapid 3D dynamic imaging of magnetic tracer materials. Until now, only dynamic 2D phantom experiments with high tracer concentrations have been demonstrated. In this letter, first in vivo 3D real-time MPI scans are presented revealing details of a beating mouse heart using a clinically approved concentration of a commercially available MRI contrast agent. A temporal resolution of 21.5 ms is achieved at a 3D field of view of 20.4 x 12 x 16.8 mm(3) with a spatial resolution sufficient to resolve all heart chambers. With these abilities, MPI has taken a huge step toward medical application.

Signal encoding in magnetic particle imaging: properties of the system function

Abstract: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new tomographic imaging technique capable of imaging magnetic tracer material at high temporal and spatial resolution. Image reconstruction requires solving a system of linear equations, which is characterized by a "system function" that establishes the relation between spatial tracer position and frequency response. This paper for the first time reports on the structure and properties of the MPI system function. An analytical derivation of the 1D MPI system function exhibits its explicit dependence on encoding field parameters and tracer properties. Simulations are used to derive properties of the 2D and 3D system function. It is found that for ideal tracer particles in a harmonic excitation field and constant selection field gradient, the 1D system function can be represented by Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. Exact 1D image reconstruction can thus be performed using the Chebyshev transform. More realistic particle magnetization curves can be treated as a convolution of the derivative of the magnetization curve with the Chebyshev functions. For 2D and 3D imaging, it is found that Lissajous excitation trajectories lead to system functions that are closely related to tensor products of Chebyshev functions. Since to date, the MPI system function has to be measured in time-consuming calibration scans, the additional information derived here can be used to reduce the amount of information to be acquired experimentally and can hence speed up system function acquisition. Furthermore, redundancies found in the system function can be removed to arrive at sparser representations that reduce memory load and allow faster image reconstruction.

A simulation study on the resolution and sensitivity of magnetic particle imaging

Abstract: This paper presents the first detailed simulation approach to evaluate the proposed imaging method called 'magnetic particle imaging' with respect to resolution and sensitivity. The simulated scanner is large enough to accept human bodies. Together with the choice of field strength and noise the setup is representative for clinical applications. Good resolution, fast image acquisition and high sensitivity are demonstrated for various tracer concentrations, acquisition times, tracer properties and fields of view. Scaling laws for the simple prediction of image quality under the variation of these parameters are derived.

Magnetization response spectroscopy of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging

Abstract: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a tomographic imaging modality sensitive to the spatial distribution of magnetic particles. The spectrometer, described in this paper, is capable of measuring the remagnetization spectrum of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. With this spectrometer the suitability of particles, for MPI, can be characterized. Furthermore, the spectrometer can be used to estimate the particle size distribution, which allows for more accurate simulations in MPI.

Progress in applications of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine

Abstract: A progress report is presented on a selection of scientific, technological and commercial advances in the biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles since 2003. Particular attention is paid to (i) magnetic actuation for in vitro non-viral transfection and tissue engineering and in vivo drug delivery and gene therapy, (ii) recent clinical results for magnetic hyperthermia treatments of brain and prostate cancer via direct injection, and continuing efforts to develop new agents suitable for targeted hyperthermia following intravenous injection and (iii) developments in medical sensing technologies involving a new generation of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, and the invention of magnetic particle imaging as a new modality. Ongoing prospects are also discussed.

Nanomaterials for In Vivo Imaging

Abstract: In vivo imaging, which enables us to peer deeply within living subjects, is producing tremendous opportunities both for clinical diagnostics and as a research tool. Contrast material is often required to clearly visualize the functional architecture of physiological structures. Recent advances in nanomaterials are becoming pivotal to generate the high-resolution, high-contrast images needed for accurate, precision diagnostics. Nanomaterials are playing major roles in imaging by delivering large imaging payloads, yielding improved sensitivity, multiplexing capacity, and modularity of design. Indeed, for several imaging modalities, nanomaterials are now not simply ancillary contrast entities, but are instead the original and sole source of image signal that make possible the modality’s existence. We address the physicochemical makeup/design of nanomaterials through the lens of the physical properties that produce contrast signal for the cognate imaging modality—we stratify nanomaterials on the basis of thei...

Biomedical Nanomagnetics: A Spin Through Possibilities in Imaging, Diagnostics, and Therapy

Abstract: Biomedical nanomagnetics is a multidisciplinary area of research in science, engineering and medicine with broad applications in imaging, diagnostics and therapy. Recent developments offer exciting possibilities in personalized medicine provided a truly integrated approach, combining chemistry, materials science, physics, engineering, biology and medicine, is implemented. Emphasizing this perspective, here we address important issues for the rapid development of the field, i.e., magnetic behavior at the nanoscale with emphasis on the relaxation dynamics, synthesis and surface functionalization of nanoparticles and core-shell structures, biocompatibility and toxicity studies, biological constraints and opportunities, and in vivo and in vitro applications. Specifically, we discuss targeted drug delivery and triggered release, novel contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, cancer therapy using magnetic fluid hyperthermia, in vitro diagnostics and the emerging magnetic particle imaging technique, that is quantitative and sensitive enough to compete with established imaging methods. In addition, the physics of self-assembly, which is fundamental to both biology and the future development of nanoscience, is illustrated with magnetic nanoparticles. It is shown that various competing energies associated with self-assembly converge on the nanometer length scale and different assemblies can be tailored by varying particle size and size distribution. Throughout this paper, while we discuss our recent research in the broad context of the multidisciplinary literature, we hope to bridge the gap between related work in physics/chemistry/engineering and biology/medicine and, at the same time, present the essential concepts in the individual disciplines. This approach is essential as biomedical nanomagnetics moves into the next phase of innovative translational research with emphasis on development of quantitative in vivo imaging, targeted and triggered drug release, and image guided therapy including validation of delivery and therapy response.

Challenges for Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract: 3.3. Magnetic Particle Imaging 3029 4. Challenges for CEST Agents 3029 4.1. Technical Issues 3029 4.2. Chemical Issues 3031 4.3. Biological Issues 3032 5. Challenges for Heteronuclear MR Imaging 3033 5.1. F-Based Probes 3033 6. Challenges for Hyperpolarized Probes 3034 6.1. Brute Force 3034 6.2. Optical Pumping and Spin Exchange 3035 6.3. Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) 3035 6.4. para-Hydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) 3037 6.5. Use of Gd Contrast Agents with Hyperpolarized Substances 3038