Patents by Inventor Hunter Middleton

Hunter Middleton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • High volume hyperpolarizer for spin-polarized noble gas
    Patent number: 5642625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for hyperpolarization of flowing noble gases is disclosed, including means for hyperpolarization of noble gases in a continuous flow arrangement. Noble gases such as xenon-129 and helium-3 can be hyperpolarized using the disclosed method and apparatus. Preferably, the noble gas is hyperpolarized via spin exchange between atoms of the noble gas and an alkali metal such as rubidium. Also, a method and apparatus for accumulation and/or storage of hyperpolarized noble gases in a continuous flow arrangement is provided. The method and apparatus enable large scale production, storage, and usage of hyperpolarized noble gases for numerous purposes, including imaging of human and animal subjects through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Gordon D. Cates, Jr., Bastiaan Driehuys, William Happer, Hunter Middleton, Eli Miron, Brian Saam, Daniel Walter