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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particles comprising cores of tungsten or tungsten in mixture with other metallic elements as the contrast enhancing material wherein said core are coated, to pharmaceuticals containing such particles, and to the use of such pharmaceuticals specifically as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging, in particular in X-ray imaging.

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: The present invention provides a method of MR investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) nuclear spin polarising 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, &dgr;v, being dependent upon either the temperature or the pH of said sample; (ii) administering the nuclear spin polarised 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, preferably of a human or non-human animal body. The method comprises the step of ex vivo polarization of a high T1 agent. The polarizing agent is optionally separated from the high T1 agent before the high T1 agent is administered to the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of magnetic imaging (MR) of a living sample comprising the steps of hyperpolarizing a hyperpolarizable gas ex-vivo and transferring the nuclear polarization from the hyperpolarized gas to the nuclei of an MR imaging agent, that is not hyperpolarizable, that is exposed to a uniform magnetic field and that is introduced in contact to the hyperpolarizable gas, separating the hyperpolarizable gas from the MR imaging agent, administering the MR imaging agent to the living sample, exciting NMR transitions in the nuclei of the imaging agent and detecting an NMR signal thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of MR investigation of a sample, the method comprising: (i) placing in a uniform magnetic field a composition comprising an OMRI contrast agent and an MR imaging agent containing nuclei (MR imaging nuclei) capable of emitting magnetic resonance signals (e.g. the primary magnetic field B0) and capable of exhibiting a T1 relaxation time of 6 s or more (at 37° C. in D2O in a field of 7T); (ii) exposing the composition to a first radiation of a frequency selected to excite electron spin transitions in the OMRI contrast agent; (iii) optionally but preferably separating the whole, substantially the whole, or a portion of said OMRI contrast agent from said MR imaging agent; (iv) administering said MR imaging agent to said sample, (v) exposing the sample to a second radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions; (vi) detecting magnetic resonance signals from the sample; and (vii) optionally, generating an image or dynamic flow data from the detected signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, preferably of a human or non-human animal body, said method comprising the step of ex vivo polarisation of a high T1 agent and wherein the polarising agent is optionally seperated from the high T1 agent before the high T1 agent is administered to the sample.

Abstract: A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample using electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging which relies on ex vivo dynamic nuclear polarisation of an MR imaging agent.

Abstract: The invention provides low viscosity iodinated aryl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula I ##STR1## (wherein n is 0 or 1, and where n is 1 each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moeity may be the same or different; each group R is a hydrogen atom, an iodine atom or a hydrophilic moiety M or M.sub.1, two or three non-adjacent R groups in each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety being iodine and at least one, and preferably two or three, R groups in each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety being M or M.sub.1 moieties; X denotes a bond or a group providing a 1 to 7 atom chain linking two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moieties or, where n is 0, X denotes a group R; each M independently is a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety; and each M.sub.1 independently represents a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group substituted by at least one hydroxyl group and optionally linked to the phenyl ring via a carbonyl, sulphone or sulphoxide group, at least one R group being an M.sub.1 moiety; with the proviso that where n is zero either at least one M.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a contrast medium composition comprising: (a) a first contrast agent comprising a physiologically tolerable manganese compound, a physiologically tolerable reducing compound containing an .alpha.-hydroxy ketone group, or salt thereof, having a manganese concentration of at least 0.3 mM or being in a dosage unit form containing at least 300 .mu.mol manganese, together with (b) a second contrast agent. Such compositions have been found to be particularly suited to imaging of the liver.

Abstract: There is provided a contrast medium composition comprising: (a) a first contrast agent comprising a physiologically tolerable manganese compound together with an uptake promoter, having a manganese concentration of at least 0.3 mM or being in a dosage unit form containing at least 300 .mu.mol manganese, wherein the uptake promoter comprises a physiologically tolerable reducing compound containing an .alpha.-hydroxy ketone group or a physiologically tolerable acid containing .alpha.- and/or .beta.- hydroxy or amino groups, or a salt thereof, and/or vitamin D; together with (b) a second contrast agent.Such compositions are particularly suitable for imaging of the liver.

Abstract: A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample using electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating a magnetic resonance image of a sample comprising introducing into the sample a physiologically tolerable deuterated stable free radical, exposing the sample to first and second radiations of frequencies selected respectively to excite nuclear spin transitions in selected nuclei in the sample and to excite electron spin resonance transitions of the free radical coupled to nuclear spin transitions of at least some of the nuclei, detecting free induction decay signals from the sample, and generating a magnetic resonance image from these signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modification of electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ESREMRI) in which two magnetically responsive materials (contrast agents) are introduced into the sample being investigated, one contrast agent serving as an ESREMRI free induction decay signal enhancing agent and the other as enhancement suppressing agent. In this way, image contrast may be enhanced further for regions in which the suppressing agent distributes poorly or not at all or which the suppressing agent reaches at a later time than the enhancing agent.

Abstract: There is provided an improved magnetic resonance imaging procedure which essentially combines electron spin resonance enhanced MRI with echo planar imaging MRI.

Abstract: There is provided a method of and apparatus for thermographic imaging involving the use in electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ESREMRI) of a paramagnetic contrast agent having in its esr spectrum a temperature dependant transition. The ESREMRI enhancement of the free induction decay signal resultant on stimulating that transition with radiation of a set frequency or frequency band is itself accordingly temperature dependant.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of and apparatus for performing electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ESREMRI) at ultra-low fields of up to 20 Gauss, optionally dispensing with a primary magnet and using the earth's ambient field to provide the primary magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging procedure.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance image generating apparatus comprising a first radiation source capable of emitting a first radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in selected nuclei in a sample being imaged and means for detecting free induction decay signals from said selected nuclei, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a second radiation source capable of emitting a second radiation of a frequency selected to excite electron spin transitions coupled to the nuclear spin transitions of at least some of said selected nuclei.