Inverse problem applied to magnetic nanoparticle AC Biosusceptometry imaging

• Grant number: 19/23707-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Biophysics of Processes and Systems
• Principal Investigator: José Ricardo de Arruda Miranda
• Grantee: Marcelo Dante Tacconi Alvarez
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely proposed for various medical goals. Due to their high versatility, either in nanometer size or composition and coating, magnetic nanoparticles have teranostic potential (diagnosis and treatment using the same MNP). In order to detect these MNPs in biological environments, techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic particle imaging (MPI) and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are used. However, such equipment has disadvantages and restrictions as to its use. Thus, the AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) technique has great potential for real time MNP detection in vivo, allowing for several studies in this area. The ACB has high versatility because it is portable, easy to use, very low cost and does not require the use of controlled environment. Thus, the purpose of this work is to characterize the ACB system in relation to different MNPs available in the market, and synthesized by our group, through computational experiments and simulations, phantom construction and mathematical techniques. Thus, obtaining this information about the system, it will still be possible to increase its applicability, solving the inverse problem regarding this system, which will allow, besides detecting, quantifying the MNPs. In this present project, for the first time, this quantification will be performed using images obtained from specific phantoms (with the possibility of quantitative measurements in depth), but in the future may be performed in vivo. Thereby, the ACB can be raised to other techniques considered of high standard and with great potential to be used in the market and in the medical clinic such as magnetorelaxometry and the MPI system.