Diagnostic Imaging

Research and Practice of Colloids in Diagnostic Imaging

Functionalized colloids are important for diagnostic imaging in biomedical applications. For example, amine-functionalized nanoscale hydrocolloidal silica can readily incorporate imaging agents such as dyes for diagnostic imaging.

Magnetic metal oxide colloids have been used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance diagnosis for many years. Among them, the research on colloidal iron oxide is the most extensive and in-depth. Colloidal iron oxide has gone through three generations of development. The first generation, large-diameter iron oxide colloids coated with dextran, has been successfully used as a diagnostic tool for tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and spleen. The second generation is an ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide synthesized by injecting dextran, which can be used to detect functional perfusion imaging of the brain, heart, and kidneys. The third generation is an ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide whose surface has been modified with targeted molecules, not only for tumor imaging but also for monitoring gene expression after gene therapy.

Fig.1 Representation of the different "generations" of iron oxide particles for biomedical application.^[3]

Alfa Chemistry focuses on the application of colloidal materials in diagnostic imaging. We offer a variety of colloidal products suitable for diagnostic imaging, such as modified colloidal silica and magnetic colloidal iron oxide. Alfa Chemistry enables the synthesis of well-designed colloidal contrast agents while promoting their application in new fields of application. We attach great importance to the research significance of diagnostic imaging technology in basic scientific research and clinical medicine.

What Can We Do?

• Alfa Chemistry can directly provide or customize colloidal materials used in the field of diagnostic imaging.
• Alfa Chemistry can perform functional improvements on existing colloidal imaging materials according to customer needs, whether to enhance imaging capabilities or impart new application characteristics.
• Alfa Chemistry provides various detection services for colloidal materials used for imaging, such as stability, toxicity and imaging efficiency.

References

1. Rui W U, et al. The Molecular Imaging Techniques in Medical Imaging. Imaging Science and Photochemistry. 2018.
2. Choi H, Chen I. Surface-modified silica colloid for diagnostic imaging. Journal of Colloid & Interface Science. 2003, 258(2):435-437.
3. Fabio Sonvico, et al. Metallic Colloid Nanotechnology, Applications in Diagnosis and Therapeutics. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2005, 11, 2091-2105.

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