Method and apparatus to hyperpolarize materials for enhanced mr techniques

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for producing hyperpolarized samples for use in magnetic resonance systems. A sorption pump is incorporated into the apparatus to create a closed system for hyperpolarizing. Being a closed system, the apparatus and system loses no cryogen to atmosphere such that there is no need to replenish cryogen in the system. Under the method, the apparatus is able to operate in three distinct modes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Continuation-In-Part (C.I.P.) application claims the benefit of the Apr. 2, 2007 filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 695,411 (Entitled: METHOD AND APPARATUS TO HYPERPOLARIZE MATERIALS FOR ENHANCED MR TECHNIQUES, attorney docket no. 205265-1). The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for polarizing samples for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[0003]The present invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, particularly to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analytical high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. MRI is a diagnostic technique that has become particularly attractive to physicians as it is non-invasive and does not involve exposing the patient under study to potentially any such as from X-rays. Analytical high resolution NMR spectroscopy is routinely used in th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing hyperpolarized materials using a cooling container, refrigeration system, sorption pump, and magnetic field producing device. The technical effects of the invention include improved efficiency and stability of hyperpolarization, as well as reduced costs and complexity of the apparatus. The apparatus can operate in three modes to isolate the magnetic field producing device from the thermal bus and create a stable thermal linkage. The method involves placing a material sample in a liquid helium bath and using the refrigeration system to cool the sample while the magnetic field producing device produces a high homogeneity magnetic field and a fringe magnetic field offset from the high homogeneity field. The invention has applications in various fields such as research and medical diagnosis.

Problems solved by technology

MRI and NMR spectroscopy lack some degree of sensitivity due to the normally very low polarization of the nuclear spins of the contrast agents typically used.

The pumping devices currently used to provide the stream of cold cryogen are open cycle pumping systems that are undesirable for use in a clinical setting for numerous reasons.

First, the open cycle pumping systems are large and generate high levels of noise.

Furthermore, the open cycle pumping systems are expensive and cumbersome to operate because of the large quantity of cryogen that is consumed in the pumping process.

In an open cycle pumping system, a large measure of this evaporated cryogen is not reclaimable.

Thus, a large amount of cryogen is needed to hyperpolarize a sample, which adds significantly to the cost of operating the system.

In addition to adding cost to the operation of the pumping system, the failure to reclaim the evaporated cryogen in an open cycle pumping system also leads to overall system inefficiency.

That is, continuous operation of an open cycle pumping system is not possible because of the cryogen loss associated with the hyperpolarization of each imaging agent sample.

Thus, current hyperpolarization systems are inefficient and expensive to operate.

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