A very interesting article was reported on Healthcareitnews.com, the National Institute of Health has recently awarded a 1 million dollar grant to Houston Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute for their work on enhancing MRI sensitivity through the use of nanotechnology. By blending a newly developed nanotechnology known as “nanotubes” with traditional MRI techniques, researches believe they will be able to increase the sensitivity of MRI technology by roughly 40 times.
While many of us have probably heard of an MRI sometime throughout our life, very few may actually know what they are or really even do. The term “MRI” is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a technique that has been predominately used to take images of our inner bodies for medical purposes. Due to MRI’s ability to distinguish between soft and hard tissues throughout our body, this form medical imaging has been especially useful in cases where detailed images of the neurological, musculoskeletal and/or cardiovascular systems are needed.
The technology being developed is called the “Sterotaxis Magnetic Navigation System” and essentially uses existing MRI technology combined with stem cells encased within new magnetized-nano-tubes. Within these nano-tubes, chemical agents belonging to a highly-sensitive group of contrast agents will work to provide more detailed medical images than ever before. In fact, as a result of their ultra-sensitivity, these contrast agents are able to amplify the sensitivity by 40 times that of a standard MRI. While the use of stem cells to aid damaged heart tissue has received considerable attention throughout the medical world, it has been extremely difficult to monitor the progress of the stem cells once they are in induced within body. What is needed is a way to track and asses the progress of stem cell therapy which, thanks to this new technology, may now be possible. With the funding made available from the grant, researches will look to further develop super-sensitive MRI contrast agents which in turn will help to improve the quality of images. The quality of medical images can greatly influence the decisions made by physicians and it goes without saying that if we could enhance the quality of images we would ultimately improve the overall quality of care.
So congrats to the Universities for being awarded the grant. Its always nice to see money allocated to a cause that is tangible and it would be hard to argue that improving the quality of healthcare does not have enormous benefits.
True words, some true words dude. You made my day.