Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an imaging methodology for detecting the focus and spatial distribution of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) [1], [2]. As an rising medical imaging expertise within the twenty first century, MPI has developed quickly lately and attracted widespread consideration within the biomedical subject on account of its excessive sensitivity and specificity. Presently, MPI has been efficiently utilized in cell imaging [3], [4], [5], [6], tumor imaging of breast most cancers and different cancers [7], [8], [9], monitoring the nanomaterials interacting with cells [10], [11], and exploring new diagnostic strategies [12], [13]. Resulting from its picture high quality being unaffected by the alveolar gas-tissue interface, MPI is especially appropriate for lung imaging [14], [15], [16], and it has been efficiently utilized in lung perfusion imaging [17], air flow imaging [18], and inhaled aerosol monitoring [19], [20].
As proven in Fig. 1, computed tomography (CT) [21], [22], positron emission computed tomography (PET) [23], [24], and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) [25], [26] make the most of ionizing radiation, posing a sure radiation danger to sufferers, particularly those that bear frequent imaging examinations. In addition to that, these applied sciences exhibit low distinction when imaging smooth tissues, making it tough to tell apart between several types of smooth tissues clearly [27]. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), much like MPI, can also be an ionizing radiation-free method that makes use of magnetic fields for imaging [28]. Nonetheless, MRI imaging requires a comparatively lengthy scanning time, making it unsuitable for eventualities that require fast imaging [29]. Moreover, MRI tools is complicated and costly, with excessive necessities for working environments [30]. Ultrasound imaging (US) has restricted penetration energy for deep tissues and produces poor imaging leads to air and bone, leading to decrease spatial decision in comparison with different imaging methods [31]. MPI is anticipated to beat the restrictions of conventional imaging applied sciences and meet the pressing wants of drugs and organic analysis for high-resolution [32], radiation-free [33], and real-time [34] imaging.
Since Gleich and Weizenecker designed MPI prototype starting from a one-dimensional conceptual mannequin to a three-dimensional mannequin for small animals in 2005–2009 [35], [36], the improvements and developments in MPI have offered quite a few new instruments and strategies for illness prognosis, therapy monitoring, and organic analysis [37], nevertheless, it’s nonetheless at present restricted to laboratory small animal fashions and small elements of human our bodies. The transition to medical purposes in people nonetheless faces a number of challenges.
Pushed by the medical purposes’ consideration of comfort, cost-effectiveness, affected person consolation, mobility and adaptability, technological developments, market calls for, and such components, MPI tools has developed in the direction of the route of low vitality consumption and miniaturization over the previous decade (Fig. 2) [38].