3MICRON · Three modality contrast imaging using multi-functionalized microballoons

In vivo multimodality imaging is a fast growing field in medical research and, although the achievements at clinical level of this diagnostic method are recent, it is already one of the most promising approaches in the diagnosis of diseases in many research addressed medical centres. At present in this area, the USA plays the protagonist role as a result of the amount of resources engaged in the arena in the last decade. Both government and private companies agree, when considering the potential of this approach, that it is one of the foremost medical advancements as it will lead to early diagnosis of diseases with high impact on the societies of western countries. Multimodality imaging is currently viewed as a simple and powerful integration of two or more imaging methods (e.g. PET-CT). 3MICRON is an ambitious project which gathers some of the most advanced European medical and technical institutions together to address the design of new strategies in diagnostics, and to push the potential of medical imaging beyond the state-of-the-art. The multimodality approaches are supported by a class of next-generation micro/nanodevices called microballoons. These subsystems are able to implement the function of an ultrasound contrast agent with other imaging methods (SPECT, MRI). In the future, they may act as a minimally invasive drug delivery method and hyperthermia device. In 3MICRON, this multi-functional device will be tested in vitro and in vivo in order to assess bioclearance and cytoxicity effects toward high impact diseases, e.g. cardiovascular and inflammation pathologies. Finally, selected types of microballoons will undergo pre-clinical screening for a consolidated assessment of the “bench-to-bed” pathway for these new microdevices.