Fluorine-Containing Contrast Medium for MRI Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional contrast media for MRI diagnosis using fluorine as a detection nucleus lack stability and sensitivity in vivo.

Innovation Solution

A fluorine-containing compound represented by General Formula (1) is developed, which includes specific alkyl groups and a nitroxide radical structure, enhancing stability and sensitivity by optimizing the spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times, and is used in a contrast medium for MRI diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional contrast media containing metal ions are used, then MRI diagnosis can be performed, but safety concerns arise due to metal ion presence in vivo

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmetal ion toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes metal ions from the contrast medium system by using a metal-free organic radical compound as the fluorine-containing compound, thereby eliminating metal ion toxicity while maintaining MRI contrast functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an organic radical compound that functions as a temporary contrast agent during MRI scanning, after which it is naturally metabolized and excreted without persistent metal ion accumulation in the body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If fluorine-containing compounds easily reduced by ascorbic acid are used, then contrast effect is achieved, but stability in vivo deteriorates due to reduction by reducing agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast effectVSAvoidchemical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by designing specific molecular structures with electron-withdrawing groups positioned at strategic locations, creating localized electron-deficient regions that prevent reduction at the nitroxide radical site while maintaining overall molecular stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite molecular structure combining fluorine-containing groups, electron-withdrawing substituents, and nitroxide radical moieties into a single stable compound that resists reduction by ascorbic acid and other biological reducing agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If distance between fluorine atom and nitroxide radical is increased, then safety is improved by preventing reduction, but MRI sensitivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidMRI sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the distance parameter between the fluorine atom and nitroxide radical to a specific range that simultaneously provides sufficient stability against reduction while maintaining adequate MRI detection sensitivity through appropriate spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If contrast media with long relaxation times are used, then stability is improved, but MRI sensitivity and image quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidMRI sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes relaxation time parameters by adjusting molecular structure and composition to achieve intermediate relaxation times that provide both adequate chemical stability and sufficient MRI signal intensity for high-quality imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fluorine-containing compound provides a highly stable and sensitive MRI image by reducing the distance between the fluorine atom and the nitroxide radical, preventing reduction by reducing agents and ensuring safety without metal ions, thus offering a safer and more effective diagnostic tool.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing stability and sensitivity by optimizing the spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin-lattice relaxation:

Implementation Method 2

enhancing stability and sensitivity by optimizing the spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin-spin relaxation:

Implementation Method 3

MRI diagnosis using fluorine as a detection nucleus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20240173439A1Fluorine-containing compound and contrast medium

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 TDK CORP

AI summary

A fluorine-containing compound represented by Formula (1) (R1, R2, R3, and R4 in Formula (1) each represent a C1-10 alkyl group unsubstituted or substituted with a substituent containing no fluorine atoms, and X is any of Formulae (2-1), (2-2), and (2-3).)