Gd-DTPA-based MR-visible polymer for direct visualization of interventional devices

Abstract

We developed a Gd-DTPA (gadolinium(III)-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-based coating copolymer of hydrophilic and hydrophobic subunits to obtain visibility, hydrophil-icity, and durability for passive visualization of catheters used in MR-guided interventions. We then examined a metal-free catheter coated with the polymer in a phantom and in porcine brain tissue ex vivo. Successful visualization of the coated device demonstrated the applicability of the new coating technique for visualizing catheters used in MR-guided interventions.