A Library of Potential Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for X-Ray Fluorescence Tomography Bioimaging

Abstract EN

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used as contrast agents for several bioimaging modalities.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tomography can provide sensitive and quantitative 3D detection of NPs.

With spectrally matched NPs as contrast agents, we demonstrated earlier in a laboratory system that XRF tomography could achieve high-spatial-resolution tumor imaging in mice.

Here, we present the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of a library of NPs containing Y, Zr, Nb, Rh, and Ru that have spectrally matched K-shell absorption for the laboratory scale X-ray source.

The K-shell emissions of these NPs are spectrally well separated from the X-ray probe and the Compton background, making them suitable for the lab-scale XRF tomography system.

Their potential as XRF contrast agents is demonstrated successfully in a small-animal equivalent phantom, confirming the simulation results.

The diversity in the NP composition provides a flexible platform for a better design and biological optimization of XRF tomography nanoprobes.