Abstract: A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample for use in a magnetic resonance investigation has the following steps: a) providing a solid sample (50), containing long T1 nuclei and short T1 nuclei in the same molecules (51); b) hyperpolarizing the short T1 nuclei in the solid sample (50); c) transforming the solid sample (50) into a liquid sample (52); and d) transferring the polarization of the short T1 nuclei to the long T1 nuclei within the molecules in the liquid sample (52) by Cross Polarization. The method can provide samples with hyperpolarized long T1 nuclei, in particular 13C or 15N, in a simple and efficient way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cardiac imaging using hyperpolarised 13C-pyruvate as MR imaging agent, which allows determination of the viability of cells in the myocardium.

Abstract: A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample for use in a magnetic resonance investigation has the following steps: a) providing a solid sample (50), containing long T1 nuclei and short T1 nuclei in the same molecules (51); b) hyperpolarizing the short T1 nuclei in the solid sample (50); c) transforming the solid sample (50) into a liquid sample (52); and d) transferring the polarization of the short T1 nuclei to the long T1 nuclei within the molecules in the liquid sample (52) by Cross Polarization. The method can provide samples with hyperpolarized long T1 nuclei, in particular 13C or 15N, in a simple and efficient way.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), particularly NMR spectroscopy. It provides hyperpolarization methods offering enhanced sensitivity of detection over conventional NMR for studying the fate of a test compound in a biological system. The methods are particularly suitable for studying metabolism and toxicity of drugs. The resulting NMR sensitivity increase is advantageous in two key aspects of NMR detection: test compounds can be detected at lower concentrations and substantial time saving can be achieved in cases where extensive averaging is conventionally employed to increase the signal to noise ratio of the corresponding NMR spectra. The methods can be used for studios that were not practical or not possible using conventional NMR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imaging of an animate human or non-human animal body, which method comprises: administering parenterally to said body a particulate material comprising a matrix or membrane material and at least one contrast generating species, which matrix or membrane material is responsive to a pre-selected physiological parameter whereby to alter the contrast efficacy of said species in response to a change in the value of said parameter; generating image data of at least part of said body in which said species is present; and generating therefrom a signal indicative of the value or variation of said parameter in said part of said body. The invention also relates to contrast media for imaging a physiological parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to NMR-based methods comprising hyperpolarised ligands or targets for use in NMR-based assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cardiac imaging using hyperpolarised 13C-pyruvate as MR imaging agent, which allows determination of the viability of cells in the myocardium.

Abstract: An in vitro assay method which comprises the use of an assay reagent containing at least one NMR active nucleus, and hyperpolarising at least one NMR active nucleus of the assay reagent; and analysing the assay reagent and/or the assay by NMR spectroscopy and/or NMR imaging. The assay reagent may contain an artificially high concentration of an NMR active nucleus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for melting a solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means in a cryostat and then melted inside the cryostat by melting means such as a laser connected by an optical fibre to the interior of the cryostat.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for passive visualisation of invasive devices by employing a hyperpolarised solution of a high T1 agent having a T1 value of at least 5 seconds at a field strength in the range of 0.001-5 T and a temperature in the range of 20-40° C. Devices and instruments particularly useful for being employed in the methods are also provided as well as use of the methods in imaging, surgery and therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to NMR-based methods comprising hyperpolarised ligands or targets for use in NMR-based assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining protein activity using NMR spectroscopy. The present invention provides a method for determining protein activity in vivo using probe compounds and enhancing the nuclear polarisation of NMR active nuclei present in the probe compounds (hereinafter termed “hyperpolarisation”) prior to NMR analysis. The invention also provides mixtures of probe compounds for the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for phenotyping by determining protein activity in vivo using at least one probe compound and enhancing the nuclear polarisation of NMR active nuclei present in the probe compound (hereinafter termed “hyperpolarisation”) prior to NMR analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and method for melting solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup 9 in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means 3a, 3b, 3c in a cryostat 2 and then melted inside the cryostat 2 by melting means such as a laser 8 connected by an optical fibre 4 to the interior of the cryostat.

Abstract: An NMR based method for characterising the metabolic stability of a drug candidate comprising the steps of enhancing the nuclear polarisation of NMR active nuclei present in the drug candidate (hereinafter termed “hyperpolarisation”), contacting the drug candidate with liver cells or cell organelles, and carrying out NMR analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imaging of an animate human or non-human animal body, which method comprises: administering parenterally to said body a particulate material comprising a matrix or membrane material and at least one contrast generating species, which matrix or membrane material is responsive to a pre-selected physiological parameter whereby to alter the contrast efficacy of said species in response to a change in the value of said parameter; generating image data of at least part of said body in which said species is present; and generating therefrom a signal indicative of the value or variation of said parameter in said part of said body. The invention also relates to contrast media for imaging a physioloogical parameter.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), particularly NMR spectroscopy. It provides hyperpolarisation methods offering enhanced sensitivity of detection over conventional NMR for studying the fate of a test compound in a biological system. The methods are particularly suitable for studying metabolism and toxicity of drugs. The resulting NMR sensitivity increase is advantageous in two key aspects of NMR detection: test compounds can be detected at lower concentrations and substantial time saving can be achieved in cases where extensive averaging is conventionaly employed to increase the signal to noise ratio of the corresponding NMR spectra. The methods can be used for studios that were not practical or not possible using conventional NMR.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) reacting para-hydrogen enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor containing a non-hydrogen non-zero nuclear spin nucleus to produce a hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (ii) administering said hydrogenated MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus from said sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from said detected signals.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample by (i) reacting ortho-deuterium enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor to produce a hydrogenated (i.e. deuterated) MR imaging agent; (ii) optionally, subjecting the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to a low magnetic field;(iii) administering the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to the sample; (iv) exposing the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of the selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei from the sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from the detected signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) reacting para-hydrogen enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor containing a non-hydrogen non-zero nuclear spin nucleus to produce a hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (ii) administering said hydrogenated MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus from said sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from said detected signals.