Method and apparatus to hyperpolarize materials for enhanced mr techniques

a material and mr technology, applied in the field of methods and apparatus for polarizing samples, can solve the problems of large high noise, high cost of open cycle pumping system,

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-05-08
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

[0012]In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing a hyperpolarized material comprises: placing a material sample in a vessel containing a liquid helium bath; reducing a temperature of the liquid helium bath with a sorption pump and a refrigeration system, wherein the sorption pump comprises: a sorb can configured separate from and exterior to and spaced apart from the vessel, wherein the refrigeration system comprises: a helium condenser configured separate from and exterior to and space...

Problems solved by technology

MRI and NMR spectroscopy lack some degree of sensitivity due to the normally very low polarization of the nuclear spins of the contrast agents typically used.
The pumping devices currently used to provide the stream of cold cryogen are open cycle pumping systems that are undesirable for use in a clinical setting for numerous reasons.
First, the open cycle pumping systems are large and generate high levels of noise.
Furthermore, the open cycle pumping systems are expensive and cumbersome to operate because of the large quantity of cryogen that is consumed in the pumping process.
In an open cycle pumping system, a larg...

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus to hyperpolarize materials for enhanced mr techniques
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  • Method and apparatus to hyperpolarize materials for enhanced mr techniques

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Embodiment Construction

[0024]Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for hyperpolarizing a material for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is shown. The polarizer system 10 is a closed cyclical thermal system configured to hyperpolarize a sample of an imaging agent for use in MRI. For example, the sample can be composed of 13C1-Pyruvate or another agent that can be polarized. Further, the system 10 is a closed system. The term “closed system” as used herein means that the system does not lose cryogen to the atmosphere. As such, there is no requirement or need to replenish the system periodically with additional cryogen. Polarizer system 10 is formed in part by a vacuum chamber 12 that surrounds the internal components of the system. Polarizer system 10 also includes a thermal shield 16 within the vacuum chamber 12. Thermal shield 16 surrounds the main components of the polarizer system 10 and functions to reduce the radiative heat load to those components. In one embodi...

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Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for producing hyperpolarized samples for use in magnetic resonance systems. A sorption pump is incorporated into the apparatus to create a closed system for hyperpolarizing. Being a closed system, the apparatus and system loses no cryogen to atmosphere such that there is no need to replenish cryogen in the system. Under the method, the apparatus is able to operate in three distinct modes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Continuation-In-Part (C.I.P.) application claims the benefit of the Apr. 2, 2007 filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 695,411 (Entitled: METHOD AND APPARATUS TO HYPERPOLARIZE MATERIALS FOR ENHANCED MR TECHNIQUES, attorney docket no. 205265-1). The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for polarizing samples for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[0003]The present invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, particularly to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analytical high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. MRI is a diagnostic technique that has become particularly attractive to physicians as it is non-invasive and does not involve exposing the patient under study to potentially any such as from X-rays. Analytical high resolution NMR spectroscopy is routinely used in th...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F25B21/00
CPCF25B21/00F25B9/14F25D19/006G01R33/281G01R33/282G01R33/30G01R33/31G01R33/3804G01R33/3815G01R33/60F17C2221/07
Inventor URBAHN, JOHN ARTHURLEACH, ARTHUR MICHAELARDENKJAER-LARSEN, JAN HENRIKSTAUTNER, ERNST WOLFGANG
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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