Hyperpolarized MRI Agents via Diamagnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI contrast agents, especially hyperpolarized gases and solids, have limited relaxation times, making it difficult to achieve flexible and long-lasting imaging signals, and existing solid or liquid materials quickly lose their hyperpolarization.
Innovation Solution
A hyperpolarized imaging agent comprising a first substance with non-zero nuclear spin, such as 29Si, 13C, 19F, 31P, or 129Xe, bound to a host substance with zero nuclear spin, providing shielding and extending nuclear spin relaxation times to several minutes or hours, even in solid powder form, which can be suspended in liquids or used as nanoparticles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solid or liquid materials are used as hyperpolarized imaging agents, then the material can be introduced into the body in various forms, but the nuclear spin relaxation time becomes very short, limiting imaging duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of paramagnetic ions (such as gadolinium) embedded in a diamagnetic host material (such as silica or glass). This composite structure combines the beneficial magnetic properties of paramagnetic materials with the stability and long relaxation times of diamagnetic materials, achieving both versatile application and extended imaging duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local regions with different magnetic properties within the imaging agent structure. Paramagnetic ions are localized within the diamagnetic host matrix, creating local magnetic field variations that enhance relaxation times while maintaining overall structural stability and biocompatibility
2Duration of action of moving object
If hyperpolarized gas is used as imaging agent, then long T1 relaxation time can be achieved, but the gas requires specialized containers for collection and transport, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the imaging agent from a gaseous state requiring specialized containment to a solid or liquid particulate form that can be suspended in bodily fluids. This phase change eliminates the need for complex specialized containers while maintaining long relaxation times through the solid-state matrix structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the imaging agent from gas to solid/liquid particulate form. This parameter change fundamentally alters the containment requirements, allowing simple suspension in physiological solutions rather than requiring specialized gas-tight containers with magnetic shielding
3Ease of operation
If conventional MRI contrast agents are used, then T1 or T2 relaxation processes can be altered, but the imaging signal duration is limited and flexibility in imaging timing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental relaxation mechanism by using materials with inherently long T1 times (several minutes to hours) rather than the typical short T1 or T2 agents. This parameter change in relaxation time enables flexible imaging protocols with extended temporal windows for image acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous or repeated imaging over extended periods by using materials that maintain stable hyperpolarization for hours. This allows for continuous monitoring of physiological processes without the signal decaying within seconds, providing uninterrupted diagnostic information
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
The imaging agent achieves significantly longer T1 relaxation times, up to several hours, maintaining hyperpolarization and providing flexible imaging capabilities, suitable for various medical applications including angiography and diagnostics, while being biocompatible and capable of specific biological targeting.
Implementation Method 1
The second substance is bound to the first substance and provides shielding for the first substance from the environment in a way that allows long nuclear spin relaxation of the first substance
Implementation Method 2
allowing the at least one atom of the first substance to be hyperpolarized with a long relaxation time
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging agent is disclosed for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging agent includes a first substance and a second substance. The first substance includes at least one atom having non-zero nuclear spin providing a polarized magnetic orientation. The second substance is bound to the first substance and inhibits physical contact between the at least one atom and other atoms and molecules to thereby inhibit spin relaxation of the polarized magnetic orientation of the at least one atom.