Abstract: A device for producing a fluid containing a radioactive constituent, comprising a shielded chamber (5) with an opening for receiving an isotope container (6) housing a radioactive isotope (7); a chamber closure (18) adapted for cooperating with and closing the chamber opening; a first fluid port comprising a first hollow needle projecting into the shielded chamber from the chamber closure for fluid communication with the isotope container; a second fluid port comprising a second hollow needle projecting into the shielded chamber from the closed end of the chamber opposite the chamber closure for fluid communication with the isotope container; first and second compressible buffers (28, 29) mounted so as to surround at least partially the respective first and second hollow needles (12, 13), each buffer providing an outer surface for contact with opposed ends of the isotope container; and a spacer of a predetermined thickness associated with one or each of the first and second compressible buffers for determinin

Abstract: Detector efficiency data is generated for a positron emission tomography scanner (2) including a single photon source by conducting a blank scan acquisition procedure using the single photon source. The acquired detection count data is processed using an efficiency estimation algorithm to calculate data efficiencies of individual detectors in the detector array (8). In one embodiment, the detection count data is output as artificial coincidence count data and the efficiency estimation algorithm operates on the artificial coincidence count data. The method can be used in a non-rotating scanner or a rotating scanner.

Abstract: A method of screening for pulmonary embolism uses gaseous phase polarized 129Xe which is injected directly into the vasculature of a subject. The gaseous 129Xe can be delivered in a controlled manner such that the gas substantially dissolves into the vasculature proximate to the injection site. Alternatively, the gas can be injected such that it remains as a gas in the bloodstream for a period of time (such as about 8-29 seconds). The injectable formulation of polarized 129Xe gas is presented in small quantities of (preferably isotopically enriched) hyperpolarized 129Xe and can provide high-quality vasculature MRI images or NMR spectroscopic signals with clinically useful signal resolution or intensity. One method injects the polarized 129Xe as a gas into a vein and also directs another quantity of polarized gas into the subject via inhalation. In this embodiment, the perfusion uptake allows arterial signal information and the injection (venous side) allows venous signal information.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of performing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy adapted for a hyperpolarized sample. The methods comprise the steps of hyperpolarizing a sample using DNP, wherein at least a portion of the NMR active nuclei receives hyperpolarization; performing NMR spectroscopy on the sample with the use of sequences of rf-pulses, wherein the pulse sequences comprises at least two rf-pulses, either on the same nuclei or on different nuclei, and wherein the pulse sequence is adapted for a hyperpolarized sample; and analyzing at least two of the NMR spectra to obtain a characterization of the sample, or to obtain an interim result to be used in the NMR spectroscopy step.

Abstract: A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a molded elongate, bioabsorbable carrier material with spaced radioactive sources disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.

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 provides a process for the preparation of an MR contrast agent, said process comprising: i) obtaining a solution in a solvent of a hydrogenatable, unsaturated substrate compound and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of said substrate compound; ii) introducing said solution in droplet form into a chamber containing hydrogen gas (H2) enriched in para-hydrogen (p-1H2) and/or ortho-deuterium (o-2H2) whereby to hydrogenate said substrate to form a hydrogenated imaging agent; iii) optionally subjecting said hydrogenated imaging agent to a magnetic field having a field strength below earth's ambient field strength; iv) optionally dissolving said imaging agent in an aqueous medium; v) optionally separating said catalyst from the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium; vi) optionally separating said solvent from the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium; and vii) optionally freezing the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and method for dissolving solid polarised material while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a material is polarised in a strong magnetic field in a cryostat 2 and then brought into solution while still inside the cryostat 2.

Abstract: An in vivo non-invasive method for detecting and/or diagnosing a pathological condition using hyperpolarized 129Xe spectroscopy is disclosed. Generally stated, the method includes determining the magnitude of spectral peaks which represent particular chemical shifts and comparing the observed magnitudes to those of healthy individuals. Preferably, the method includes subtracting substantial backgrounds and accounting for secondary conditions such as the polarization of hyperpolarized gas administered. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of hyperpolarized 129Xe spectra advantageously allows, a physician to establish the extent of disease progression. Advantageously, this method can be used regardless of the method of hyperpolarized 129Xe administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, said method comprising: a) administering a hyperpolarised MR contrast agent comprising non-zero nuclear spin nuclei into said sample for fluid dynamic investigations of the vasculature, b) exposing said sample or part of the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said non-zero nuclear spin nuclei, c) detecting MR signals from said sample using any suitable manipulation method including pulse sequences. The invention also provides novel compounds.

Abstract: A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a hollow elongate bioabsorbable suture member with radioactive seeds and spacer members without different coloration and diameter from the radioactive seeds alternately disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture and the use thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.

Abstract: The valve of the present invention provides a one-piece valve stem piston having a piston head and a piston stem. The piston head has a larger diameter than the piston stem. The stem incorporates only a single sliding O-ring in the area that seals the gas in the valve cylinder bore. The valve blocks gas flow by sealing against the positioning each O-ring over the gas flow port. This provides the valve with a low sliding friction upon piston movement. Pilot control air pressure is reduced because of the lower friction and due to the air operating on the larger surface area of the piston head. All materials in the construction of the valve are non-metallic.

Abstract: Hyperpolarizers for producing polarized noble gases can include: (a) a control module configured to direct the operation of a hyperpolarizer to produce polarized noble gas via spin-exchange interactions between a noble gas and an alkali metal; (b) at least one optical pumping module including an optical pumping cell operably associated with the control module; (c) a dispensing system operably associated with the control module and the optical pumping module to dispense meted volumes of polarized gas from the hyperpolarizer; and (d) a fluid distribution system operably associated with the control module, the optical pumping module, and the dispensing system, such that, in response to commands transmitted from the control module, the fluid distribution system operates to automatically direct purge gas into and out of a gas travel path that extends from the control module to the optical pumping cell prior to commencing the spin-exchange interactions in the optical pumping cell, then to receive unpolarized gas an

Abstract: Modular expandable hyperpolarizers include a central control module and at least one optical pumping module that can be expandable to a plurality of optical pumping modules that can be separately operated depending on the capacity demands at the production site (hospital, clinic and the like). Methods for producing blended polarized gas products include introducing a pre-packaged pre-mixed amount of a polarizer-ready blend of unpolarized gas. Methods for producing the polarized gas can be carried out at the point of use site and the production run according to patient load. Other methods consider the patient load and automatically schedule the hyperpolarizer to yield the desired polarized gas doses to support the patient and/or MRI/NMR equipment schedule.

Abstract: A system for determining polarization of a gas comprises a container that contains the polarized gas. An oscillator circuit comprises an Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) coil that is positioned adjacent to the container. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate an electrical pulse that may be transmitted to an optical cell through the NMR coil to excite the polarized gas responsive to a control processor. A Q-reduction circuit that is independent of the pulse generator circuit is configured to reduce oscillations in the oscillator circuit from the transmitted electrical pulse responsive to the control processor. A receive circuit is responsive to an electrical signal that is induced in the oscillator circuit due to the electromagnetic excitation of the polarized gas. The control processor is configured to determine the polarization of the gas based on the output signal of the receive circuit.

Abstract: Ventilator systems include: (a) a mass flow controller; (b) a gas delivery valve in communication with the mass flow controller and configured to selectively dispense a plurality of different gases to a subject; (c) a first gas source in fluid communication with the gas delivery valve; (d) a second gas source in fluid communication with the gas delivery valve; (e) a first pressure sensor located upstream of the gas delivery valve; (f) a second pressure sensor located downstream of the gas delivery valve; and (g) a controller operatively associated with the first and second pressure sensors and the mass flow controller, the controller comprising computer program code that monitors the pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors and automatically dynamically adjusts the flow rate of the mass flow controller.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for dispensing hyperpolarized gas include or operate a plurality of spaced apart individually operable valves positioned in fluid communication with and located along a gas flow path. The gas flow path that is intermediate the spaced apart valves defines at least one meted holding space with an associated volume that can be selectively isolated from the remainder of the gas flow path. The system and methods include a pressure sensor operably associated with the gas flow path and a control module operably associated with the plurality of spaced apart valves and the pressure sensor, the control module being configured to direct the operational sequence of the opening and closing of the valves, wherein, in operation, the control module directs a plurality of capture and release cycles, the cycles being successively carried out so to temporally isolate a predetermined portion of the gas flow path to capture and then release discrete amounts of gas therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of MR investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) nuclear spin polarizing a high T1 MR imaging agent which contains in its molecular structure at least two hyperpolarisable nuclei within the same molecule, the frequency difference between the two resonance lines from said nuclei, ??, being dependent upon either the temperature or the pH of said sample; (ii) administering the nuclear spin polarized MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to a radiation at a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said MR imaging agent; and (iv) detecting and manipulating magnetic resonance signals from said sample using a single-shot RARE acquisition sequence with shifted data acquisition.