title: Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene embolization particles doped with tantalum oxide nanoparticles for X-ray contrast.
abstract: Radiopaque and fluorescent embolic particles have been synthesized and characterised to match the size of vasculature found in tumours to ensure effective occlusion of the vessels. A literature search showed that the majority of vessels surrounding a tumour were less than 50 µm and therefore polydispersed polystyrene particles with a peak size of 50 µm have been synthesised. The embolic particles contain 5-8 nm amorphous tantalum oxide nanoparticles which provide X-ray contrast. Embolic particles containing up to 9.4 wt% tantalum oxide were prepared and showed significant contrast compared to the undoped polystyrene particles. The X-ray contrast of the embolic particles was shown to be linear (R(2) = 0.9) with respect to the concentration of incorporated tantalum nanoparticles. A model was developed which showed that seventy-five 50 µm embolic particles containing 10% tantalum oxide could provide the same contrast as 5 cm of bone. Therefore, the synthesized particles would provide sufficient X-ray contrast to enable visualisation within a tumour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Townley
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010316:Particle Size; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013635:Tantalum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010087:Oxides; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013635:Tantalum; C078151:tantalum oxide