Optical hyperpolarization magnetic resonance imaging device and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising: a storage module for storing a diamond particle dispersion and a buffer solution; a transport module, comprising a front flow tube for connecting the storage module and the polarization module, and a rear flow tube for connecting the polarization module and the detection module; the polarization module, comprising: a signal generator for generating a signal sequence, a laser excitation module for generating and emitting laser light to a polarization cavity, a microwave magnetic field module for emitting a microwave signal to the polarization cavity and controlling the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, and the polarization cavity; and a detection module for generating a magnetic resonance image through a magnetic resonance device after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is transported to an imaging region of an imaging carrier using a buffer solution. In addition, the present disclosure also provides an optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of magnetic resonance imaging / hyperpolarization, and more specifically, to an optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device and method. Background Art

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important clinical diagnostic technology that can image specific functional areas non-invasively and without radiation. The magnetic resonance phenomenon can only occur on isotope nuclei with non-zero spin, and the isotope needs to have a certain abundance to contribute sufficient signals.

[0003] After hyperpolarization of light 13 The nuclear spin signal of C can be used for magnetic resonance imaging. In the prior art, the GE SPINlab device uses hyperpolarized 13 The C nucleus achieved hyperpolarization-MRI of experimental organisms. However, in order to achieve a good hyperpolarization effect, the device needs to be hyperpolarized in an environment with high magnetic field (3T or above), high-frequency microwave (94GHz@3T) and low temperature (<4K), which is costly and bulky. In addition, the preparation of hyperpolarized liquid takes a long time, and the injection and removal of liquid require manual intervention, which brings great uncertainty.

[0004] Therefore, in the process of implementing the present disclosure, it is found that the related technology requires a harsh hyperpolarization environment and has poor robustness. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present disclosure provides an optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device and method.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an optical hyperpolarized nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising: a storage module for storing a diamond particle dispersion and a buffer solution; a transport module, comprising a front flow tube for connecting the storage module and the polarization module, and a rear flow tube for connecting the polarization module and the detection module; the polarization module, comprising: a signal generator for generating a signal sequence, a laser excitation module for generating and emitting laser light to a polarization cavity, a microwave magnetic field module for emitting a microwave signal to the polarization cavity and controlling the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, and the polarization cavity; and the detection module, for generating a magnetic resonance image through a magnetic resonance device after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is transported to an imaging region of an imaging carrier using a buffer solution.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage module comprises at least two sample storage bottles, and the at least two sample storage bottles are used to store the diamond particle dispersion and the buffer solution, respectively.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diamond particles contain at least 13 C core.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport module further includes: a first conveying module for conveying the diamond particle dispersion into the polarization chamber; and a second conveying module for conveying the buffer solution and controlling the position of the diamond particle dispersion by pushing the buffer solution.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser excitation module includes: a laser for generating the laser in response to the signal sequence; an optical fiber for connecting the laser and the optical fiber coupling mechanism for transmitting the laser; and an optical fiber coupling structure for fixing the optical fiber and emitting the laser to the polarization cavity.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned microwave magnetic field module includes: a wave source for generating a microwave signal; a microwave switch for receiving the above-mentioned signal sequence and turning on or off in response to the above-mentioned signal sequence; a microwave modulation module for adjusting the waveform or signal strength of the above-mentioned microwave signal; and an external magnetic field generation module for generating a uniform DC magnetic field in the above-mentioned polarization cavity region.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser excitation module is used to emit the laser to the polarization cavity, so that the NV color center of the diamond particle is polarized.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microwave magnetic field module is used to transmit the microwave signal to the polarization cavity and to control the magnetic field intensity of the polarization cavity, so that the polarization degree of the NV color center is transferred to the polarization center through the cross relaxation process. 13 C core, and make the above 13 The polarization degree of the C nucleus reaches a preset value within a unit hyperpolarization time.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection module further includes an injector, which is embedded in the imaging carrier and connected to the polarization cavity via the rear end flow tube.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: using a transport module to transport a diamond particle dispersion in a storage module into a polarization cavity; using a laser emitted by a laser excitation module to irradiate the diamond particle dispersion; controlling a microwave magnetic field module to emit a microwave signal into the polarization cavity, and adjusting the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity to obtain a hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion; using a buffer solution in the storage module to push the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion to an imaging area of ​​an imaging carrier, and using a magnetic resonance device to image the imaging carrier.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diamond particles contain at least 13 C core.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diamond particle dispersion is irradiated with laser light emitted by a laser excitation module, so that the NV color centers of the diamond particles are polarized.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microwave magnetic field module is controlled to emit a microwave signal into the polarization cavity, so that the polarization degree of the NV color center is transferred to the polarization cavity through the cross relaxation process. 13 C core; control the microwave magnetic field module to adjust the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, so that the 13 The polarization degree of the C nucleus reaches a preset value within a unit hyperpolarization time.

[0019] According to the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device and method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a controllable volume of diamond dispersion can be input into the polarization module, and the diamond dispersion can be quickly converted into diamond dispersion at room temperature. 13 The C nuclei are hyperpolarized, and then the hyperpolarized sample is injected into the imaging carrier fixed in the magnetic resonance device through an injector in a very short time for rapid imaging, which solves the problems of high requirements for the hyperpolarization environment, cumbersome and time-consuming, and poor stability of existing devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a light hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0022] Figure 2 Schematically shows a schematic diagram of a transport module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 Schematically shows a schematic diagram of a signal generator, a laser excitation module and a microwave magnetic field module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a detection module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0025] Figure 5 A flowchart of a method for optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0026] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method for optical hyperpolarization magnetic resonance imaging according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0027] Figure 7 The working diagram of the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of known structures and technologies are omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion of the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0029] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "comprise", "include", etc. used herein indicate the existence of the features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0030] All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0031] In the case of using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.", it should generally be interpreted in accordance with the meaning of the expression generally understood by those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" should include but is not limited to a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, C, etc.). In the case of using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, or C, etc.", it should generally be interpreted in accordance with the meaning of the expression generally understood by those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" should include but is not limited to a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, C, etc.).

[0032] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical hyperpolarized nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device and method. The device includes a storage module, a transport module, a polarization module and a detection module, wherein: the storage module is used to store a diamond particle dispersion and a buffer solution; the transport module includes a front flow tube for connecting the storage module and the polarization module, and a rear flow tube for connecting the polarization module and the detection module; the polarization module includes a signal generator for generating a signal sequence, a laser excitation module for generating and emitting laser light to a polarization cavity, a microwave magnetic field module for emitting a microwave signal to the polarization cavity and controlling the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, and a polarization cavity; and the detection module is used to generate a magnetic resonance image through a magnetic resonance device after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is transported to the imaging area of ​​the imaging carrier using the buffer solution.

[0033] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device 100 includes a storage module 110 , a transport module 120 , a polarization module 130 and a detection module 140 .

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage module 110 includes at least two sample storage bottles, each of which includes an air port and an outflow pipe. The sample storage bottle is used to store diamond particle dispersion and buffer. Buffer is a solution formed by substances that are rich in and harmless to the animal body, including but not limited to physiological saline, phosphate solution, etc. Diamond particle dispersion is formed by uniformly dispersing diamond particles with a particle size of tens to hundreds of nanometers in the buffer.

[0036] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the diamond particles cannot be 12 C Purified diamond, that is, the diamond particles must contain at least the natural abundance of 13 C. The diamond particles may be particles without any surface modification, or particles with specific surface modification or coating treatment.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport module 120 includes a front-end flow tube 121 for connecting the storage module 110 and the polarization module 130 , and a rear-end flow tube 122 for connecting the polarization module 130 and the detection module 140 .

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front flow tube 121 includes but is not limited to a silicone hose, a fluorine-containing hard tube or a PEEK capillary, etc., and the rear flow tube 122 includes but is not limited to a plastic capillary or a PEEK capillary, etc.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the polarization module 130 includes a polarization cavity 131, a signal generator 132 for generating a signal sequence, a laser excitation module 133 for generating and emitting laser light to the polarization cavity 131, and a microwave magnetic field module 134 for emitting a microwave signal to the polarization cavity 131 and controlling the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity 131.

[0040] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the diamond particle dispersion enters the polarization cavity 131 through the front flow tube 121, and the laser excitation module 133 and the microwave magnetic field module 134 respond to the signal sequence generated by the signal generator 132 to emit laser and microwave signals into the polarization cavity 131. 13 The C nuclei undergo a hyperpolarization process.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection module 140 is used to generate a magnetic resonance image by a magnetic resonance device after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is transferred to the imaging region of the imaging carrier by using a buffer solution.

[0042] For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the polarization cavity 131 is made of quartz and has a bubble-like structure. The diameter of the middle spherical cavity is about 5 mm, and the inner diameter of the entrance and exit at both ends is about 1 mm. The polarization cavity 131 is aligned by multiple multimode optical fibers, and the other end of each optical fiber is connected to multiple high-power laser diodes with a wavelength of 520 nm. Microwave coils are placed on both sides of the polarization cavity 131 to generate chirped microwaves. The above structure is placed in a Helmholtz coil, which can adjust the strength of the external magnetic field in which the sample in the polarization cavity is located.

[0043] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device 100 can rapidly hyperpolarize diamond particles at room temperature and use magnetic resonance equipment for imaging. The entire imaging process avoids interference from human errors and is practical and robust.

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a transport module 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the transport module 120 further includes a first transport module 201 and a second transport module 202. The first transport module and the second transport module are modules that provide power for the movement of the diamond particle dispersion or buffer solution, including but not limited to a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, and the like.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conveying module 201 is used to convey the diamond particle dispersion in a sample storage bottle 203 to the polarization chamber 131, and the second conveying module 202 is used to convey the buffer solution in another sample storage bottle 203 and control the position of the diamond particle dispersion by pushing the buffer solution.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport module 120 may further include a conduit 204 for converging two bundles of front flow tubes 121 respectively connected to two sample storage bottles 203 into the polarization chamber. The conduit 204 simplifies the process of flushing the pipeline, and can remove unpolarized diamond particles in the pipeline to the maximum extent, which significantly improves the experimental effect of animal experiments.

[0048] For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, two pumps are used at the front end of the polarization chamber 131 to alternately inject samples from two sample storage bottles 203, and a plastic capillary or PEEK tube with an inner diameter of 127 um is used at the rear end. When the polarization module 130 is less than 1.5 m away from the imaging area, when the front end flow rate is about 20 mL / min, the diamond particle dispersion in the polarization chamber 131 can be pumped into the imaging area within 0.5 s.

[0049] It should be noted that the number of sample storage bottles 203 and conveying modules used in the embodiments of the present disclosure is merely an exemplary number, and the number of sample storage bottles 203 and conveying modules can be one or more.

[0050] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the signal generator 132, the laser excitation module 133 and the microwave magnetic field module 134 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the signal generator 132 generates a signal sequence and sends it to the laser excitation module 133 and the microwave magnetic field module 134 respectively. The signal sequence is a periodic signal, including but not limited to a square wave sequence, etc. The signal generator 132 synchronously controls the switching of the laser 301, the on and off of the DC power supply 303 and the microwave switch 306.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser excitation module 133 includes a laser 301 and a multimode optical fiber 302. The laser 301 can be a high-power laser diode with a wavelength of 520nm, or a high-power laser device with other wavelengths. The multimode optical fiber 302 includes an optical fiber and an optical fiber coupling structure. The laser 301 is regulated by the signal generator 132, outputs a higher-power laser, and is transported by the multimode optical fiber 302 to the polarization cavity 131, directly irradiating the diamond particles in the dispersion, and highly polarizing the NV color center in the particles.

[0053] For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, four high-power laser diodes generate four 1-watt lasers with a wavelength of 520 nm. The four laser beams are coupled into the multimode optical fiber 302 respectively, and then the end of the optical fiber is fixed to the optical fiber coupling structure. The polarization cavity 131 is fixed at the center of the structure. The four laser beams are incident on the polarization cavity 131 at the same time. The higher-power laser can make the polarization of the NV color center more complete, thereby improving the final 13 The polarizability of C nuclei.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microwave magnetic field module 134 includes a DC power supply 303, an external magnetic field generating module 304, a wave source 305, a microwave switch 306 and a microwave modulation module.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the DC power supply 303 is used to generate a stable current to supply the external magnetic field generation module 304, and the external magnetic field generation module 304 generates a uniform DC magnetic field in the polarization cavity 131 area, which is used to balance the leakage magnetic field around the magnetic resonance device and regulate the actual magnetic field in the polarization cavity 131 area. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the strength of the uniform DC magnetic field is hundreds of Gauss, but the present disclosure does not limit the strength of the uniform DC magnetic field. The external magnetic field generation module 304 can be a multi-turn Helmholtz coil, or a large-volume magnet can be selected.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wave source 305 may generate microwaves that scan in a sawtooth shape in the frequency domain, namely chirped microwaves, and control the length of the overall microwaves through the microwave switch 306 .

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microwave modulation module is composed of a beam splitter 307, a phase shifter 308, a combiner 309, a microwave amplifier 310 and a microwave coil 311. After passing through the microwave switch 306, the microwave is divided into four paths by the beam splitter 307, and a microwave comb is generated through four phase shifters 308 with different phases to enhance the effect of microwaves in promoting polarization transfer. After the combiner 309, the four microwaves are combined into one path, and after being amplified by the microwave amplifier 310, they are coupled into the microwave coil 311, and the microwave coil 311 transmits the microwave to the polarization cavity 131. It should be noted that the number of beam splitters 307, phase shifters 308 and combiners 309 in the embodiment of the present disclosure is only an exemplary number, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microwave coil 311 is used to emit a uniform microwave signal so that the polarization of the NV color center is transferred to 13 C nucleus. The external magnetic field generating module 304 is used to generate a uniform magnetic field. 13 The polarization degree of the C nucleus reaches a preset value within a unit hyperpolarization time.

[0059] Figure 4A schematic diagram of the detection module 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the detection module 140 includes an injector 401, an imaging carrier 402 and a magnetic resonance device 403. The injector 401 is embedded in the imaging carrier 402 and connected to the polarization cavity 131 through the rear flow tube 122. The imaging carrier 402 can be a phantom or an animal body.

[0061] For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the imaging carrier 402 is a phantom, and the storage module does not need to use the sample storage bottle 203 containing the buffer solution; the phantom is directly connected in a ring shape to the sample storage bottle 203 containing the diamond particle dispersion, and the imaged diamond particle dispersion is returned to the sample storage bottle 203, thereby achieving nearly zero-consumption equipment debugging or experiment.

[0062] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the imaging carrier 402 is an animal body, and the animal is anesthetized and fixed in the magnetic resonance device 403, and the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is injected using an injector 401 such as an indwelling needle.

[0063] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear end flow tube 122 should use a capillary tube with a smaller inner diameter as much as possible, so as to deliver the diamond particle dispersion to the imaging area more quickly and avoid polarization loss in the low magnetic field area.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnetic resonance device 403 may be a homemade or commercial magnetic resonance imaging device, such as a GE Discovery TM MR750, etc. The magnetic resonance device 403 images the image carrier 402 after a certain period of time after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is injected. 13 The signal distribution of C, or imaging at different times after injection, can obtain the movement of the injected diamond particle dispersion in the imaging carrier 402.

[0065] Figure 5 The flowchart of the optical hyperpolarization magnetic resonance imaging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, the method includes operations S501 to S504.

[0067] In operation S501 , the diamond particle dispersion in the storage module 110 is transported to the polarization chamber 131 using the transport module 120 .

[0068] In operation S502, the diamond particle dispersion is irradiated with laser light emitted from the laser excitation module 133. The irradiation of the laser light causes the NV color centers of the diamond particles to be polarized.

[0069] In operation S503, the microwave magnetic field module 134 is controlled to transmit a microwave signal to the polarization cavity 131, and the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity 131 is adjusted to obtain a hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion. The microwave signal can transfer the polarization degree of the NV color center to the 13 C nucleus. By adjusting the magnetic field strength, the 13 The maximum polarizability of a C nucleus per unit time.

[0070] In operation S504 , the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is pushed to the imaging region of the imaging carrier 402 using the buffer in the storage module 110 , and the imaging carrier 402 is imaged using the magnetic resonance device 403 .

[0071] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the imaging carrier 402 is an animal body, and between operation S503 and operation S504, operations S601 to S603 are further performed. Figure 6 shown.

[0072] Figure 6 The flowchart of the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0073] In operation S601 , the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is pushed to the phantom using the buffer in the storage module 110 , and the phantom is imaged using the magnetic resonance device 403 .

[0074] In operation S602, it is determined whether the polarization signal is stronger than an expected value. If the polarization signal is stronger than an expected value, operation S504 is performed, and if the polarization signal is weaker than an expected value, operation S603 is performed.

[0075] In operation S603, the microwave signal and the magnetic field strength are adjusted, and then operation S601 is performed.

[0076] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser power, microwave power and hyperpolarization time are kept unchanged, the shape and position of the microwave coil 311 are fine-tuned, and the output current of the DC power supply 303 is changed to adjust the external magnetic field strength, and finally the sweeping range and sweeping speed of the wave source 305 are adjusted, or the diamond particle dispersion used is replaced.

[0077] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the animal body is imaged using conventional magnetic resonance technology in advance to determine the target area, and then the polarized diamond particle dispersion is injected to obtain a series of 13 Magnetic resonance image of C spin signal.

[0078] Figure 7The working diagram of the optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0079] like Figure 7 As shown, the rear end of the sample storage bottle 203 containing the diamond particle dispersion is connected to the first pump 701, and the rear end of the sample storage bottle 203 containing the buffer solution is connected to the second pump 702. If the imaging carrier 402 is an animal body, the second pump 702 should be turned on in advance so that the front flow tube 121, the rear flow tube 122 and the polarization cavity 131 are filled with the buffer solution to prevent air from entering the animal body.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pump 701 is first turned on to fill the polarization cavity 131 with the diamond particle dispersion, and then the laser generating module 703 and the microwave generating module 704 are turned on to perform hyperpolarization for about 60 seconds. The chirped microwave generated by the microwave generating module 704 has a sweep frequency range of 2.6 GHz to 3.2 GHz, and a single sweep time is about 5 ms.

[0081] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, after hyperpolarization has been established, the second pump 702 is turned on to rapidly push the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion into the high field of the imaging module 140 through the rear end flow tube 122 using a buffer solution. 13 C nucleus 705 is in a low magnetic field environment during the hyperpolarization process and the transport process. 13 The relaxation time of C nuclei 705 is much shorter than the high magnetic field environment during imaging, so the rapid transfer (time of about 0.5 s) of the rear flow tube 122 helps to reduce 13 The polarizability of C nucleus 705 is lost due to relaxation.

[0082] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, after the diamond liquid is injected into the imaging module 140, the magnetic resonance device 706 is used for imaging, and the FLASH sequence or other fast imaging sequence is used during imaging to avoid the loss of polarization signals due to relaxation. After a single operation is completed, the phantom / animal body at the end of the rear flow tube 122 is removed, the second pump 702 is turned on, and the front flow tube 121 and the rear flow tube 122 are flushed with a buffer to remove the residual diamond particles and avoid interference with the next operation.

[0083] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device and method for optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging are provided, which realizes hyperpolarization in a room temperature and low magnetic field environment. 13 C core preparation, and the whole process uses flow tubes for rapid transmission of diamond particle dispersion, avoiding interference from human factors and reducing the risk of accidents during transportation. 13 The loss of C nuclear polarization signal with relaxation has good practicality and robustness.

[0084] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above. However, these embodiments are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although the embodiments are described above separately, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used in combination to advantage. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art may make a variety of substitutions and modifications, which should all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising: A storage module, used for storing diamond particle dispersion and buffer; The storage module comprises at least two sample storage bottles, and the at least two sample storage bottles are used to store the diamond particle dispersion and the buffer solution respectively; a transport module, comprising a front flow tube for connecting the storage module and the polarization module, and a rear flow tube for connecting the polarization module and the detection module; The transport module also includes: A first delivery module, used for delivering the diamond particle dispersion into the polarization chamber; and A second delivery module is used to deliver the buffer solution and control the position of the diamond particle dispersion by pushing the buffer solution; The polarization module comprises: a signal generator for generating a signal sequence, a laser excitation module for generating and emitting laser light to a polarization cavity, a microwave magnetic field module for emitting a microwave signal to the polarization cavity and controlling the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, and the polarization cavity; and The detection module is used to generate a magnetic resonance image through a magnetic resonance device after the hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is transferred to the imaging area of ​​the imaging carrier by using a buffer.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The diamond particles contain at least a natural abundance of 13 C core.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The laser excitation module comprises: a laser, for generating the laser in response to the signal sequence; An optical fiber, connecting the laser and the optical fiber coupling structure, for transmitting the laser; and The optical fiber coupling structure is used to fix the optical fiber and emit the laser to the polarization cavity.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The microwave magnetic field module comprises: A wave source, for generating a microwave signal; A microwave switch, configured to receive the signal sequence and to be turned on or off in response to the signal sequence; A microwave modulation module, used to adjust the waveform or signal strength of the microwave signal; The external magnetic field generating module is used to generate a uniform DC magnetic field in the polarization cavity region.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The laser excitation module is used to emit the laser to the polarization cavity to polarize the NV color center of the diamond particle.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The microwave magnetic field module is used to transmit the microwave signal to the polarization cavity and to control the magnetic field strength of the polarization cavity, so that the polarization degree of the NV color center is transferred to the 13 C core, and make the 13 The polarization degree of the C nucleus reaches a preset value within a unit hyperpolarization time.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection module further comprises an injector, which is embedded in the imaging carrier and connected to the polarization cavity through the rear end flow tube.

8. A method for optical hyperpolarization nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: Use the first conveying module in the transport module to convey the diamond particle dispersion in the sample storage bottle of the storage module to the polarization chamber; irradiating the diamond particle dispersion with laser emitted by a laser excitation module; Controlling the microwave magnetic field module to transmit microwave signals into the polarization cavity and adjusting the magnetic field intensity of the polarization cavity to obtain a hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion; The hyperpolarized diamond particle dispersion is pushed to the imaging area of ​​the imaging carrier using the second transport module and the buffer solution in the storage module, and the imaging carrier is imaged using a magnetic resonance device, wherein the storage module includes at least two sample storage bottles, and the at least two sample storage bottles are used to store the diamond particle dispersion and the buffer solution, respectively.

Images