Aqueous SABRE Hyperpolarisation via Biphasic Emulsions for Catalyst Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SABRE methods for hyperpolarization in aqueous media face challenges with low activity and catalyst contamination, limiting their clinical applicability and effectiveness in MRI applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a multiphasic solvent system with a biphasic solvent system, where a target substrate and hyperpolarization transfer catalyst are separated into aqueous and non-aqueous phases, allowing for hyperpolarization transfer followed by phase separation, using phase-separation promoters to achieve high signal gain and minimize catalyst contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SABRE hyperpolarization is performed in aqueous media using conventional methods, then signal amplification is achieved, but catalyst contamination occurs and activity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction system is segmented into two distinct phases: an aqueous phase containing the substrate and a non-aqueous phase containing the catalyst. This phase separation allows the catalyst to perform hyperpolarization reactions while remaining physically separated from the aqueous imaging medium, thereby achieving signal amplification without catalyst contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
A phase-transfer catalyst or surfactant acts as an intermediary between the non-aqueous catalyst phase and the aqueous substrate phase. This intermediary enables the catalyst to access the substrate at the phase interface or within the emulsion droplets while maintaining overall phase separation, facilitating hyperpolarization transfer without direct catalyst contamination of the aqueous medium.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a biphasic solvent system is used to separate catalyst and substrate, then catalyst contamination is minimized, but hyperpolarization transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes dynamic emulsion formation where vigorous mixing creates fine droplets of one phase dispersed in the other, dramatically increasing the interfacial surface area. This dynamic state allows efficient mass transfer and hyperpolarization at the interface, while subsequent static separation maintains phase division to prevent catalyst contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits phase transition dynamics by forming an emulsion (a transient phase state) during the hyperpolarization reaction to maximize interfacial contact between phases. After the reaction, the system returns to a separated biphasic state for easy phase separation. This controlled transition between emulsified and separated states optimizes both reaction efficiency and catalyst separation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach achieves significant hyperpolarization enhancements in aqueous media, up to 1500-fold signal amplification, with minimal catalyst contamination, suitable for biomedical applications like MRI, demonstrating improved sensitivity and stability for hyperpolarized agents.
Implementation Method 1
Signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) is a technique which increases the response (or visibility) of compounds in NMR and MRI measurements
Implementation Method 2
A method involving a multiphasic solvent system with a biphasic solvent system, where a target substrate and hyperpolarization transfer catalyst are separated into aqueous and non-aqueous phases
Implementation Method 3
agitating the solvent system to form an emulsion comprising the aqueous component and the non-aqueous component thereby transferring the spin order from the hyperpolarisation transfer catalyst to the target substrate
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a method for the preparation of an aqueous magnetic resonance imaging medium, said method comprising the steps of: •(i) preparing a multiphasic solvent system comprising an aqueous component and a non-aqueous component, said solvent comprising a target substrate and a SABRE hyperpolarisation transfer catalyst; •(ii) adding H2 or parahydrogen gas; •(iii) agitating the solvent system to form an emulsion thereby transferring the spin order from the hyperpolarisation transfer catalyst to the target substrate; •(v) adding a solvent phase-separation promoter; and •(vi) separating the non-aqueous component and the aqueous component wherein the aqueous component contains the hyperpolarised target substrate and provides the aqueous magnetic resonance imaging medium.