Flash Nanoprecipitation Synthesized Nanocapsule Applications for Fluorine Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic tool in both clinical and research environments. In order to improve sensitivity, contrast agents (CAs) are often administered prior to or during imaging sessions. Our collaboration has been developing a number of novel colloidal nanoparticle CAs for different MRI modalities. These include polymer nanocarriers synthesized using flash nanoprecipitation, a process capable of forming of a polymer shell with a liquid core of perfluorocarbons that have potential for 19F magnetic resonance imaging. Creating these nanoparticles requires the colocalization of multiple components during synthesis, which in turn necessitates a thorough understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of the formation. This model was shown to be successful using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, and fluorine content of the nanocapsules was confirmed using energy dispersive spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. I will describe the synthesis of this colloidal system, as well as the results of phantom imaging.