Neutral-Media Dissolution and Filtration of Hyperpolarized Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alkaline dissolution process for hyperpolarized imaging agents in MRI and NMR spectroscopy is hindered by dynamic pH profiles, leading to challenges in EPA filtration, liquid-state polarization, and pyruvic acid concentration, requiring robust materials to prevent degradation and rapid neutralization to minimize polarization loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using water as the dissolution medium and a size exclusion filter to remove EPA, facilitating rapid and complete dissolution and transfer of hyperpolarized materials without pH-induced interactions, thereby maintaining polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an alkaline dissolution medium is used to dissolve hyperpolarized imaging agent, then the dissolution process can proceed, but dynamic pH profiles cause problems in EPA filtration, liquid-state polarization, and pyruvic acid concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the dissolution medium from alkaline to neutral (using water instead of base-containing solutions). This parameter change eliminates the dynamic pH profile that causes problems in EPA filtration, liquid-state polarization, and pyruvic acid concentration, while still allowing the dissolution process to proceed effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic alkaline component (base) from the dissolution medium, retaining only the essential dissolving capability through neutral water. This extraction eliminates the harmful dynamic pH effects while preserving the necessary dissolution function.
2Ease of manufacture
If a basic dissolution medium is used, then the sample can be dissolved and neutralized, but the dynamic pH profile influences EPA filtration and requires robust materials to prevent degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the dissolution medium from basic to neutral, eliminating the harmful pH-induced degradation that requires robust materials. The neutral water-based medium prevents chemical degradation while maintaining dissolution capability.
3Reliability
If rapid neutralization is performed to minimize polarization loss, then polarization is maintained, but the process requires precise control of pH and concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dissolution medium to neutral water, which eliminates the need for rapid neutralization operations. This parameter change simplifies the process by removing the pH adjustment step entirely, thereby reducing the precision requirements while maintaining polarization.
4Ease of manufacture
If an alkaline dissolution process is used, then the imaging agent can be dissolved, but costly preservation steps are required to maintain polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dissolution medium from alkaline to neutral water, which eliminates the need for costly preservation steps to maintain polarization. The neutral medium preserves polarization naturally without requiring additional expensive reagents or complex preservation protocols.
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 enables efficient and rapid dissolution and transport of hyperpolarized agents, reducing polarization loss and eliminating the need for costly preservation steps, while ensuring the hyperpolarized material is suitable for injection without significant heat or chemical burdens.
Implementation Method 1
delivering water to the hyperpolarized agent contained within a polarizer, forming a hyperpolarized aqueous solution
Implementation Method 2
filtering the aqueous solution through a partical size exclusion filter to a receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses that facilitate dissolving a hyperpolarized agent within a polarizer and transporting it to a receiver is provided. The methods include delivering water to a hyperpolarized agent contained within a polarizer, forming a hyperpolarized aqueous solution, transporting the aqueous solution through a fluid path system out of the polarizer, filtering the aqueous solution through a partical size exclusion filter to a receiver, and modifying the pH of the filtered hyperpolarized aquous solution with a dissolution medium contained in the receiver. Also disclosed herein are apparatuses for dissolving a hyperpolarized agent comprising a vial for containing a hyperpolarized imaging agent therein, a dissolution fluid path, a delivery fluid path, a particle size exclusion filter, and a receiver connected to the particle size exclusion filter and positioned to receive the filtered aqueous solution of the hyperpolarized imaging agent.