Quasi-simultaneous magnetic particle imaging and navigation of nanomag/synomag-D particles in bifurcation flow experiments

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is used to visualize the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles within 3D volumes with high sensitivity in real time. Recently, MPI is utilized to navigate micron-sized particles and micron-sized swimmers, since the magnetic field topology of the MPI scanner is well suited to apply magnetic forces. In this work, we analyze the magnetic mobility and imaging performance of nanomag/synomag-D for Magnetic Particle Imaging/Navigation (MPIN). With MPIN the focus fields are constantly switching between imaging and magnetic force mode, thus enabling quasi-simultaneous navigation and imaging of particles. In flow bifurcation experiment with a 100 % stenosis on one branch, we determine the limiting flow velocity of 1.36 mL/s, which allows all particles to flow only through one branch towards the stenosis. During this experiment, we image the accumulation of the particles within the stenosis. In combination with therapeutic substances, this approach has high potential for targeted drug delivery.