Oil-Based Angiography Contrast Agent Viscosity Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contrast agents for postmortem angiography face challenges such as high viscosity leading to incomplete imaging of blood vessel systems, capillary blockages, and inadequate visualization of small vessels due to extravasation issues, particularly with oil-based contrast components.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of an oil-based contrast component with a further apolar component of lower or equal viscosity is used to adjust the viscosity to match that of blood, ensuring optimal imaging without compromising extravasation properties, utilizing components like Lipiodol ultrafluid and alkanes or paraffin oil to create a binary or ternary mixture for improved vascular visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil-based contrast components with high viscosity (30-100 mPas) are used, then extravasation is prevented and clear vessel contours are achieved, but capillary penetration is blocked and complete vascular imaging is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the viscosity of the contrast agent to match blood viscosity (approximately 3-10 mPas). This is achieved by modifying the contrast agent's formulation to reduce its viscosity from the typical 30-100 mPas range down to blood-compatible levels, enabling capillary penetration while maintaining sufficient contrast for imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining contrast agents with viscosity-modifying substances. The contrast agent is formulated as a composite system that includes both the contrast-providing component and viscosity-adjusting components, allowing it to achieve both low viscosity for capillary penetration and sufficient X-ray contrast for imaging
2Adaptability or versatility
If water-based contrast media are used, then capillary penetration is achieved, but extravasation occurs quickly through vessel walls leading to blurred vessel contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the contrast agent to achieve blood viscosity compatibility. By adjusting viscosity and compositional parameters, the contrast agent can penetrate capillaries like water-based media while maintaining the non-extravasating properties of oil-based media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by creating a contrast agent that acts as a mediator between water-based and oil-based contrast media. It combines the capillary-penetrating ability of water-based media with the non-extravasating property of oil-based media, achieving both functions in a single formulation
3Measurement precision
If corpuscular contrast agents are used for microangiography, then capillary imaging is achieved, but precipitation of dissolved particles occurs leading to artifacts in micro-CT images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the physical and chemical parameters of the contrast agent to prevent precipitation. This includes optimizing solubility parameters, particle size distribution, and stability characteristics to ensure the contrast agent remains in solution during micro-CT imaging without forming precipitates that would create artifacts
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for clear and detailed imaging of blood vessels, including capillaries, with reduced risk of blockages and extravasation, enabling precise visualization and dynamic angiography, and allows for repeated examination and storage of samples.
Implementation Method 1
The contrast agent contains an essentially oil-based, apolar contrast component, as used for X-ray examinations
Implementation Method 2
the contrast component is present in a mixture with at least one further apolar component whose viscosity is lower or at most equal to the contrast component viscosity
Data Source
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AI summary
A contrast agent for angiography, particularly for the examination of animal or human corpses or parts thereof such as limbs or organs, is described. The agent contains a substantially oil-based, nonpolar contrast component for X-ray examinations, wherein the contrast component has a viscosity in the range of 30–100 mPas. The contrast agent is characterized in that the contrast component is present in a mixture with at least one other nonpolar component whose viscosity is lower than or at most equal to that of the contrast component. Furthermore, methods for angiographic examinations are described in which such a contrast agent, or a polar contrast agent, is used at least intermittently, or in which such contrast agents are used.