Article ID: CBB985464702

Conception of the First Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents: A Brief History (2001)

unapi

About 20 years ago, a technological innovation process started that eventually led to the affirmation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, which are used today in about 25% of all MRI procedures, as medical diagnostic tools. The process began with exploration of various technical possibilities and the conception in the years 1981 to 1982 of two types of agents (soluble paramagnetic chelates and protection colloid-stabilized colloidal particle solutions of magnetite) that eventually found embodiments in commercially available products. The pioneering products that eventually reached the market were gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist, Schering AG) and the ferumoxides (Endorem, Guerbet SA; or Ferridex , Berlex Laboratories Inc.). The history of the conception phase of the technology is reconstructed here, focusing on the social dynamics rather than on technological aspects. In the period 1981 to 1982, a number of independent inventors from industry and academia conceived of water-soluble paramagnetic chelates and protection colloid-stabilized colloidal solutions of small particles of magnetite, both of acceptable tolerability, as contrast agents for MRI. Priorities on patents conditioned the further course of events. The analyzed history helps in understanding the typical roles of different institutions in technological innovation. The foundation of MRI contrast agent technology in basic science clearly was laid in academia. During the conception of practical products, industry assumed a dominant role. Beginning with the radiological evaluation of candidate products, the collaboration between industry and academia became essential.

...More
Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB985464702/

Similar Citations

Article Burri, Regula Valérie; (2008)
Doing Distinctions: Boundary Work and Symbolic Capital in Radiology (/isis/citation/CBB000953481/)

Article Rystedt, Hans; Ivarsson, Jonas; Asplund, Sara; Johnsson, Åse Allansdotter; Båth, Magnus; (December 2011)
Rediscovering radiology: New technologies and remedial action at the worksite (/isis/citation/CBB759149951/)

Book Peter A. Bandettini; (2020)
fMRI (/isis/citation/CBB645468002/)

Book Joyce, Kelly A.; (2008)
Magnetic Appeal: MRI and the Myth of Transparency (/isis/citation/CBB000850372/)

Article Dijck, José Van; (2000)
Digital Cadavers: The Visible Human Project as Anatomical Theater (/isis/citation/CBB000770655/)

Article Hiroshi Ichikawa; (2015)
Radiation Studies and the Soviet Scientists in the Second Half of the 1950's (/isis/citation/CBB611418704/)

Chapter Adelson, Naomi; (2006)
Visible/Human/Project: Visiblity and Invisibility at the Next Anatomical Frontier (/isis/citation/CBB000772483/)

Article Karen Yan; Jonathon Hricko; (2017)
Brain networks, structural realism, and local approaches to the scientific realism debate (/isis/citation/CBB179415275/)

Chapter Müller-Rockstroh, Babette; (2009)
Imagin(in)g Pregnancy in Northwest Tanzania: Networks, Experiences, and Translations (/isis/citation/CBB000952931/)

Chapter Radstake, Maud; (2009)
Looking for a Sponge: How a Body Learns to be Affected by Ultrasound (/isis/citation/CBB000952930/)

Chapter Cohn, Simon; (2007)
Seeing and Drawing: The Role of Play in Medical Imaging (/isis/citation/CBB000953729/)

Article Butler, Anthony; Huang, Tina; (2010)
The Study of Acupoint Stimulation Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review (/isis/citation/CBB001450713/)

Article Prasad, Amit; (2007)
The (Amorphous) Anatomy of an Invention: The Case of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (/isis/citation/CBB000780237/)

Authors & Contributors
Joyce, Kelly A.
Asplund, Sara
Yan, Karen
Hricko, Jonathan
Casini, Silvia
Peter A. Bandettini
Concepts
Medicine
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Visual representation; visual communication
Imaging technology
Medical instruments and apparatus
Medical technology
Time Periods
20th century, late
21st century
20th century, early
19th century
Places
Tanzania (Tanganyika, Zanzibar)
Scotland
United States
Japan
Soviet Union
Institutions
University of Aberdeen
Comments

Be the first to comment!

{{ comment.created_by.username }} on {{ comment.created_on | date:'medium' }}

Log in or register to comment