Biocompatible microfabricated magnetic cylinders as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

This paper proposed a novel MEMS-based fabrication process for biocompatible, hollow cylindrical ferromagnetic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared to previous works on Ni-based cylindrical-nanoshells and Fe-based double-disk particles, biocompatibility and yield issues were strongly considered in this development of a simplified MEMS fabrication process incorporating iron oxide thin films. The novel, simplified microfabrication process developed herein yields a robust, reproducible fabrication methodology for the further development of this new class of MRI contrast agents, which offers the potential for multiplexing as well as functional imaging capacity with the incorporation of environmentally sensitive materials to modulate the degree of central water diffusion.