Hyperpolarized xenon generating device

Abstract

The invention discloses a hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device, and relates to the technical field of hyperpolarized xenon gas generation, the hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device comprises a generating box and a mixing box, the generating box is arranged on one side of the mixing box; the communication pipe is arranged between the generation box and the mixing box, the communication pipe is communicated with the interior of the generation box and the interior of the mixing box, a laser generator is arranged at the bottom end of the interior of the generation box, a laser head is arranged at the front end of the laser generator, a fan is started, helium is used as carrier gas, and the laser generator is started; the fan can input generated alkali metal atoms into the mixing box, the alkali metal atoms easily react with oxygen, water and the like in the air to form compounds or ions, so that the alkali metal atoms are difficult to exist in a pure atomic state and are kept for a long time, and the alkali metal atoms react with the oxygen in the air to possibly cause fire disasters or explosions. Especially under the condition of high concentration or high temperature, the reaction between alkali metal atoms and air can be reduced by adding helium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of hyperpolarized xenon gas generation, in particular to a hyperpolarized xenon gas generation device. Background Art

[0002] Hyperpolarized xenon has important application value in the fields of medicine and scientific research, especially in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. Hyperpolarized xenon refers to a gas whose nuclear spin polarization is significantly enhanced through specific techniques (such as laser and metal rubidium excitation and optical pumping technology). This polarization state greatly improves the sensitivity of xenon in MRI detection. As a contrast agent, hyperpolarized xenon can "light up" the lungs in MRI imaging, enabling early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung diseases. Because the lungs are hollow tissues, traditional imaging techniques such as chest X-rays and CT scans have difficulty achieving fine imaging, and hyperpolarized xenon can fill this gap.

[0003] Generally, the generation of hyperpolarized xenon is complicated and inefficient. In addition, during the preparation of hyperpolarized xenon, alkali metal atoms formed by laser irradiation need to be transported to a mixing container to mix with xenon. Usually, alkali metal atoms are transported to the mixing container by natural diffusion, but this method requires precise control of temperature, concentration and reaction conditions, and has low efficiency. Therefore, we proposed a hyperpolarized xenon generating device to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device to solve the problem mentioned in the above background technology that the generation of hyperpolarized xenon gas is usually complicated and inefficient, and that during the preparation of hyperpolarized xenon gas, alkali metal atoms formed by laser irradiation need to be transported to a mixing container to be mixed with xenon gas. Usually, alkali metal atoms are transported to the mixing container by natural diffusion, but this method requires precise control of temperature, concentration and reaction conditions, and has low efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device, comprising a generating box and a mixing box, wherein the generating box is arranged on one side of the mixing box;

[0006] Also includes:

[0007] A connecting pipe is arranged between the generating box and the mixing box, and the connecting pipe connects the interior of the generating box and the mixing box, a laser generator is arranged at the bottom of the interior of the generating box, a laser head is arranged at the front end of the laser generator, a placing rack is arranged at the bottom of the interior of the generating box, and the placing rack is located directly in front of the laser head, a fan is arranged at the upper end of the interior of the generating box, a first gas storage tank is arranged on the outside of the generating box, a valve is arranged at the connection outside the first gas storage tank, and the first gas storage tank is filled with inert gas, a second connecting pipe is arranged on the outside of the generating box, the second connecting pipe connects to the interior of the generating box, and the second connecting pipe The connecting port at the other end of the pipe is connected to the first gas tank, a vacuum extractor is provided at the upper end of the generating box, and the vacuum extractor is communicated with the interior of the generating box, a heating rod is provided inside the mixing box, and the heating rods are evenly distributed inside the mixing box, a magnetic field controller is provided at the upper end of the mixing box, a second gas tank is provided on the outside of the mixing box, a valve is provided at the connection outside the second gas tank, and the interior of the second gas tank is filled with xenon, a first connecting pipe is provided on the outside of the mixing box, the first connecting pipe is communicated with the interior of the mixing box, and the connecting port at the other end of the first connecting pipe is connected to the second gas tank.

[0008] Preferably, a door panel is provided on one side of the surface of the generating box, and the door panel is opened and closed by a connecting piece, and a door lock mechanism is provided on the surface of the door panel.

[0009] Preferably, a control display is provided on the surface of the door panel, and temperature and humidity sensors and gas concentration monitors are provided inside the generating box and the mixing box, and the output ends of the temperature and humidity sensors and the gas concentration monitors are electrically connected to the input ends of the control display.

[0010] Preferably, a rotating rod is provided at the bottom of the laser emitter, and a motor is provided at the bottom of the generating box. The motor is connected to the rotating rod, and the motor drives the rotating rod to drive the laser emitter to rotate.

[0011] Preferably, the placement rack is installed on the outside of the sliding rod, and the placement rack slides up and down through the sliding rod. A cylinder is arranged below the placement rack, and the cylinder is fixed at the inner bottom end of the generating box. A telescopic rod is arranged at the upper end of the cylinder, and the telescopic rod is connected to the placement rack, and the cylinder drives the telescopic rod to drive the placement rack to slide up and down outside the sliding rod.

[0012] Preferably, the first gas tank and the second gas tank are respectively mounted on the outside of the mixing box and the generating box through a fixing bracket, the upper end surface of the fixing bracket is provided with a locking groove, and the bottoms of the first gas tank and the second gas tank are both locked inside the locking groove, and a limiting block is provided on one side of the outside of the generating box and the mixing box, and the first gas tank and the second gas tank are both locked inside the limiting block.

[0013] Preferably, a gas purifier is provided at the connection between the first connecting pipe and the mixing box and at the connection between the second connecting pipe and the generating box.

[0014] Preferably, a solenoid valve is provided inside the connecting pipe, and the output end of the control display is electrically connected to the input end of the solenoid valve.

[0015] Preferably, the inert gas inside the first gas storage tank is helium.

[0016] Preferably, an exhaust port is provided on one side of the exterior of the mixing box, and a valve is provided at the upper end of the exhaust port.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. Open the valve of the first gas tank, so that the helium inside the first gas tank is transported into the generating box through the second connecting pipe, and start the fan at the same time, using helium as a carrier gas, so that the fan can input the generated alkali metal atoms into the mixing box. Since alkali metal atoms are very easy to react with oxygen, water, etc. in the air to form compounds or ions, it is difficult for them to exist in a pure atomic state for a long time, and the reaction of alkali metal atoms with oxygen in the air may cause fire or explosion, especially under high concentration or high temperature conditions. Therefore, adding helium can reduce the reaction of alkali metal atoms with air, so that the alkali metal atoms can be accelerated to enter the interior of the mixing box through the fan, thereby accelerating the generation efficiency of hyperpolarized xenon.

[0019] 2. By setting a control display on the door panel, and respectively setting a temperature and humidity sensor and a gas concentration sensor inside the generator box and the mixing box, the temperature, humidity and gas concentration inside the generator box and the mixing box are monitored. At the same time, a fixing frame and a limit block are set on the outside of the generator box and the mixing box, and the two gas tanks can be respectively installed for fastening, which is convenient for connecting the connecting pipe and the gas tank, and also convenient for quick removal of the gas tank, so as to replenish the gas inside the gas tank. By setting an angle-adjustable laser emitter and a lifting and lowering placement table inside the generator box, the placement height of alkali metals of different sizes can be adjusted, so that the laser emitter can accurately irradiate the alkali metal to generate alkali metal atoms, and the power of the laser emitter can be adjusted by controlling the display, so as to optimize the process of hyperpolarized xenon gas, improve the efficiency of hyperpolarized xenon gas generation, and ensure the quality of hyperpolarized xenon gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the generating box of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the mixing box of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a side view of the placement rack structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a fixing frame of the present invention;

[0025] In the figure: 1. generating box; 2. mixing box; 3. door panel; 4. control display; 5. door lock mechanism; 6. exhaust port; 7. connecting pipe; 8. solenoid valve; 9. magnetic field controller; 10. first connecting pipe; 11. first gas storage tank; 12. second connecting pipe; 13. fixing frame; 14. limit block; 15. vacuum extractor; 16. temperature and humidity sensor; 17. gas concentration monitor; 18. fan; 19. laser transmitter; 20. laser head; 21. motor; 22. rotating rod; 23. placement rack; 24. sliding rod; 25. cylinder; 26. telescopic rod; 27. heating rod; 28. second gas storage tank; 29. ​​engaging groove; 30. gas purifier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0027] See also Figure 1-5 , an embodiment provided by the present invention: a hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device, comprising a generating box 1 and a mixing box 2, wherein the generating box 1 is arranged on one side of the mixing box 2;

[0028] Also includes:

[0029] A connecting pipe 7 is provided between the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2, and the connecting pipe 7 connects the inside of the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2. A laser generator is provided at the bottom of the inner part of the generating box 1, and a laser head 20 is provided at the front end of the laser generator. A placement rack 23 is provided at the bottom of the inner part of the generating box 1, and the placement rack 23 is located directly in front of the laser head 20. A fan 18 is provided at the upper end of the inner part of the generating box 1. A first gas storage tank 11 is provided on the outer side of the generating box 1. A valve is provided at the connection of the outer part of the first gas storage tank 11, and the inside of the first gas storage tank 11 is filled with an inert gas. A second connecting pipe 12 is provided on the outer side of the generating box 1, and the second connecting pipe 12 connects to the inside of the generating box 1, and the second connecting pipe The connecting port at the other end of 12 is connected to the first gas tank 11, a vacuum extractor 15 is provided at the upper end of the generating box 1, and the vacuum extractor 15 is communicated with the inside of the generating box 1, a heating rod 27 is provided inside the mixing box 2, and the heating rod 27 is evenly distributed inside the mixing box 2, a magnetic field controller 9 is provided at the upper end of the mixing box 2, a second gas tank 28 is provided on the outside of the mixing box 2, a valve is provided at the connection outside the second gas tank 28, and the inside of the second gas tank 28 is filled with xenon, a first connecting pipe 10 is provided on the outside of the mixing box 2, the first connecting pipe 10 is communicated with the inside of the mixing box 2, and the connecting port at the other end of the first connecting pipe 10 is connected to the second gas tank 28.

[0030] Start the fan 18 and use helium as a carrier gas so that the fan 18 can input the generated alkali metal atoms into the mixing box 2 through the connecting pipe 7 to mix with the xenon gas in the mixing box 2. Since the alkali metal atoms can easily react with oxygen, water, etc. in the air to form compounds or ions, it is difficult for them to exist in a pure atomic state for a long time. In addition, the reaction of alkali metal atoms with oxygen in the air may cause fire or explosion, especially under high concentration or high temperature conditions. Therefore, adding helium can reduce the reaction of alkali metal atoms with air, and the interior of the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2 needs to be kept in a vacuum state.

[0031] See also Figure 1 A door panel 3 is provided on one side of the surface of the generating box 1, and the door panel 3 is opened and closed by a connecting piece. A door lock mechanism 5 is provided on the surface of the door panel 3. The door panel 3 can be provided to seal and open the generating box 1, so that the alkali metal can be placed in the generating box 1 conveniently.

[0032] See also Figure 1-3 A control display 4 is provided on the surface of the door panel 3, and a temperature and humidity sensor 16 and a gas concentration monitor 17 are provided inside the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2. The output ends of the temperature and humidity sensor 16 and the gas concentration monitor 17 are electrically connected to the input ends of the control display 4 to monitor the temperature, humidity and gas concentration inside the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2.

[0033] See also Figure 2A rotating rod 22 is provided at the bottom of the laser emitter 19, and a motor 21 is provided at the bottom of the generating box 1. The motor 21 is connected to the rotating rod 22, and the motor 21 drives the rotating rod 22 to drive the laser emitter 19 to rotate, so as to adjust the angle of the laser emitter 19.

[0034] See also Figure 4 The placement rack 23 is installed on the outside of the slide bar 24, and the placement rack 23 slides up and down through the slide bar 24. A cylinder 25 is arranged below the placement rack 23, and the cylinder 25 is fixed to the inner bottom end of the generating box 1. A telescopic rod 26 is arranged on the upper end of the cylinder 25, and the telescopic rod 26 is connected to the placement rack 23, and the cylinder 25 drives the telescopic rod 26 to drive the placement rack 23 to slide up and down on the outside of the slide bar 24, so as to adjust the placement height of alkali metals of different sizes, so that the laser emitter 19 can accurately irradiate the alkali metals.

[0035] See also Figure 1-3 The first gas tank 11 and the second gas tank 28 are respectively installed on the outside of the mixing box 2 and the generating box 1 through the fixing frame 13, and the upper end surface of the fixing frame 13 is provided with a snap-fitting groove 29, and the bottoms of the first gas tank 11 and the second gas tank 28 are snap-fitted inside the snap-fitting groove 29, and a limiting block 14 is provided on one side of the outside of the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2, and the first gas tank 11 and the second gas tank 28 are snap-fitted inside the limiting block 14, so as to fix and install the two gas tanks.

[0036] See also Figure 1-3 A gas purifier 30 is provided at the connection between the first connecting pipe 10 and the mixing box 2 and at the connection between the second connecting pipe 12 and the generating box 1 to filter and purify the input gas.

[0037] See also Figure 1 A solenoid valve 8 is provided inside the connecting pipe 7, and the output end of the control display 4 is electrically connected to the input end of the solenoid valve 8, which can close the connection between the mixing box 2 and the generating box 1.

[0038] See also Figure 1 The inert gas inside the first gas storage tank 11 is helium. Helium is an inert gas with extremely low chemical activity and will not react chemically with alkali metal atoms or xenon.

[0039] See also Figure 1 An exhaust port 6 is provided on one side of the outside of the mixing box 2, and a valve is provided at the upper end of the exhaust port 6 to facilitate the discharge and collection of the hyperpolarized xenon gas.

[0040] Working principle: after the door panel 3 is opened by the door lock mechanism 5, the alkali metal is placed on the surface of the placement rack 23, and the motor 21 drives the rotating rod 22 to rotate to adjust the emission angle of the laser emitter 19, and the cylinder 25 drives the telescopic rod 26 to adjust the height of the placement rack 23, so that the alkali metal is at the center of the emission direction of the laser head 20, and then the door panel 3 is closed, and the door panel 3 is fixed by the door lock mechanism 5, and the vacuum extractor 15 is started, and a vacuum environment is formed inside the generating box 1 and the mixing box 2, and then the laser emitter 19 irradiates the alkali metal to split the alkali metal electronic energy level, thereby generating polarized alkali metal atoms, and then the valve of the first gas storage tank 11 is opened, so that the helium inside the first gas storage tank 11 is transported into the inside of the generating box 1 through the second connecting pipe 12, and the helium is first filtered by the gas purifier 30, and the concentration of the input helium is judged by the gas concentration monitor 17, and the input of the helium is monitored. The alkali metal atoms are easily reacted with oxygen, water, etc. in the air to form compounds or ions, so it is difficult for them to exist in a pure atomic state and maintain for a long time. In addition, the reaction of alkali metal atoms with oxygen in the air may cause fire or explosion, especially under high concentration or high temperature conditions. Therefore, adding helium can reduce the reaction of alkali metal atoms with air. After the alkali metal atoms enter the mixing box 2, the valve of the second gas tank 28 is opened, and xenon gas is input from the second gas tank 28 into the mixing box 2. At the same time, the heating rod 27 and the magnetic field controller 9 are turned on, and the connecting pipe 7 is closed by the solenoid valve 8. The magnetic field and temperature are controlled to promote the collision process of the alkali metal atoms and the xenon gas and reduce the polarization attenuation. The polarization is transferred to the xenon nucleus through spin exchange, and finally hyperpolarized xenon gas is obtained.

[0041] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the invention. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be considered as limiting the claim to which it relates.

Claims

1. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device, comprising a generating box (1) and a mixing box (2), wherein the generating box (1) is arranged on one side of the mixing box (2); Features: Also includes: A connecting pipe (7) is arranged between the generating box (1) and the mixing box (2), and the connecting pipe (7) connects the inside of the generating box (1) and the mixing box (2); a laser generator is arranged at the bottom of the inside of the generating box (1), and a laser head (20) is arranged at the front end of the laser generator; a placement rack (23) is arranged at the bottom of the inside of the generating box (1), and the placement rack (23) is located directly in front of the laser head (20); a fan (18) is arranged at the upper end of the inside of the generating box (1); a first gas storage tank (11) is arranged on the outside of the generating box (1), a valve is arranged at the connection of the outside of the first gas storage tank (11), and the inside of the first gas storage tank (11) is filled with inert gas; a second connecting pipe (12) is arranged on the outside of the generating box (1), and the second connecting pipe (12) connects to the inside of the generating box (1), and the second connecting pipe (12) is connected to the inside of the generating box (1). The connecting port at the other end of the tube (12) is connected to the first gas tank (11); a vacuum extractor (15) is provided at the upper end of the generating box (1), and the vacuum extractor (15) is communicated with the inside of the generating box (1); a heating rod (27) is provided inside the mixing box (2), and the heating rods (27) are evenly distributed inside the mixing box (2); a magnetic field controller (9) is provided at the upper end of the mixing box (2); a second gas tank (28) is provided on the outside of the mixing box (2); a valve is provided at the connection point outside the second gas tank (28), and the inside of the second gas tank (28) is filled with xenon; a first connecting pipe (10) is provided on the outside of the mixing box (2), and the first connecting pipe (10) is communicated with the inside of the mixing box (2), and the connecting port at the other end of the first connecting pipe (10) is connected to the second gas tank (28).

2. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A door panel (3) is provided on one side of the surface of the generating box (1), and the door panel (3) is opened and closed via a connecting piece, and a door lock mechanism (5) is provided on the surface of the door panel (3).

3. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A control display (4) is provided on the surface of the door panel (3), and a temperature and humidity sensor (16) and a gas concentration monitor (17) are provided inside the generating box (1) and the mixing box (2), and the output ends of the temperature and humidity sensor (16) and the gas concentration monitor (17) are electrically connected to the input end of the control display (4).

4. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating rod (22) is arranged at the bottom of the laser emitter (19), and a motor (21) is arranged at the bottom of the generating box (1). The motor (21) is connected to the rotating rod (22), and the motor (21) drives the rotating rod (22) to drive the laser emitter (19) to rotate.

5. The hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The placing rack (23) is installed on the outside of the sliding rod (24), and the placing rack (23) slides up and down through the sliding rod (24). A cylinder (25) is arranged below the placing rack (23), and the cylinder (25) is fixed to the inner bottom end of the generating box (1). A telescopic rod (26) is arranged at the upper end of the cylinder (25), and the telescopic rod (26) is connected to the placing rack (23), and the cylinder (25) drives the telescopic rod (26) to drive the placing rack (23) to slide up and down outside the sliding rod (24).

6. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first gas storage tank (11) and the second gas storage tank (28) are respectively mounted on the outside of the mixing box (2) and the generating box (1) through a fixing frame (13); a snap-fitting groove (29) is provided on the upper end surface of the fixing frame (13); and the bottoms of the first gas storage tank (11) and the second gas storage tank (28) are snap-fitted inside the snap-fitting groove (29); a limiting block (14) is provided on one side of the outside of the generating box (1) and the mixing box (2); and the first gas storage tank (11) and the second gas storage tank (28) are snap-fitted inside the limiting block (14).

7. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gas purifier (30) is provided at the connection point between the first connecting pipe (10) and the mixing box (2) and at the connection point between the second connecting pipe (12) and the generating box (1).

8. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting pipe (7) is provided with a solenoid valve (8) inside, and the output end of the control display (4) is electrically connected to the input end of the solenoid valve (8).

9. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inert gas inside the first gas storage tank (11) is helium.

10. A hyperpolarized xenon gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An exhaust port (6) is provided on one side of the outside of the mixing box (2), and a valve is provided at the upper end of the exhaust port (6).

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