Sample preparations for reproducible measurements in MPS and MPI

MPI is a promising new technology for highly sensitive medical imaging. To acquire reproducible measurements, stable scanner and sample preparations are needed for both system matrix (SM) acquisition and measurement. Therefore, it is important to analyze and subsequently minimize the influence of the scanner hardware, as well as of the preparation method. In this work, we studied the evolution of the MPI signal of particle samples using five sealing methods (tape, hot glue, silicone, silicone + tape, UV glue) in combination with two different tracers (perimag® and SHP20). In a background examination, we obtained high variations in the signal of the empty scanner over time. For the sample preparation series, we saw that for each type of tracer a different sealing method worked best. Our results offer insight to sample behavior, which is important for stable SM measurements as well as the differentiation of other factors influencing a sample measurement.