Hyperpolarized Fluid Production via Parahydrogen Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is inefficient due to only one water molecule in 10^6 being effectively visible, leading to lengthy scanning times.
Innovation Solution
The method involves exposing a fluid and parahydrogen to a catalyst to create a hyperpolarized fluid, which is then introduced to a subject, enhancing NMR signals and improving imaging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MRI is used to detect water molecules in tissues, then the imaging can be performed with standard equipment, but the scanning times are lengthy due to low visibility of water molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the magnetic spin state of water molecules from thermal equilibrium to hyperpolarized state through interaction with parahydrogen and a catalyst. This changes the polarization parameter from the standard Boltzmann distribution to a non-equilibrium hyperpolarized state, increasing the NMR signal intensity by several orders of magnitude and thereby improving water molecule visibility while reducing scanning time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite system combining parahydrogen gas, a catalyst (such as a metal complex or enzyme), and water-containing fluid to generate hyperpolarized water. This composite approach leverages the unique properties of each component: parahydrogen provides the spin order, the catalyst facilitates the polarization transfer, and the water serves as the imaging target, together resolving the contradiction between signal strength and scanning time
2Productivity
If the concentration of visible water molecules is increased to improve imaging efficiency, then scanning times can be reduced, but the natural visibility of water molecules in MRI is fundamentally limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of parahydrogen and a catalyst that acts as a mediator to transfer spin polarization to water molecules. This intermediary mechanism allows the enhancement of water molecule visibility without changing the fundamental MRI detection process, thereby improving imaging efficiency while maintaining measurement precision through the polarization transfer mechanism
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 significantly enhances the visibility of water molecules in MRI, reducing scanning times and improving imaging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a fluid and parahydrogen to a catalyst. The method also includes makinghyperpolarized fluid upon the interaction of the fluid, the parahydrogen, and the catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of and systems for making a hyperpolarized fluid are provided, which include exposing a fluid and parahydrogen to a catalyst. The hyperpolarized fluid can be introduced to a subject. The hyperpolarized fluid can be included in methods of imaging a subject. Also provided are methods that use the hyperpolarized fluids for detecting protein-ligand interactions and for enhancing the NMR signals of biopolymers having chemically exchangeable protons.