X-ray fluorescence and the study of microcirculation

Abstract

The feasibility of using K-shell X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique for study of subchondral bone microcirculation in ex vivo samples is examined. Studies have been carried out at the Daresbury Laboratory Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) ultra-dilute extended X-ray absorption fine structure beamline. Initial investigations were made on fine-bore capillaries with diameters of either 500 or 200 μm, attenuated by up to 2 mm of Perspex and containing dilute iodine-based contrast media. This allowed comparison to be made with the capabilities of angiographic imaging systems, also allowing definition of suitable XRF set-up parameters for subsequent microcirculation studies. Measurements were obtained in 30 s run times, for concentrations of iodine ( K ab 33.164 keV) down to <0.4 mg I 2/(ml saline). Intensities were linear up to 3.7 mg/ml, self-absorption becoming significant for concentrations beyond this. To determine detection limits, preliminary studies of subchondral bone microcirculation were made on bone sections which were known to be poorly infused with silver-coated ( K ab 25.517 keV) 30 μm diameter microspheres. For a 2 mm slice of bone, the presence of small numbers of silver-coated microspheres were detected in the first 2 mm layer from the surface, at a level equivalent to ∼1 ppm of silver solution.