Abstract: A cooling system is provided. The cooling system is associated with a dynamic nuclear polarization system and configured to cool a sample to a temperature suitable for dynamic nuclear polarization to be carried out on the sample while the sample is in the cooling system. The cooling system includes a cryogenic chamber that includes a cryogenic fluid. The cooling system also includes a removable sample sleeve insertable within a portion of the cryogenic chamber. The removable sample sleeve is configured to define a sample path for the sample within the cryogenic chamber that is isolated from other parts of the cooling system.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided. The cooling system is associated with a dynamic nuclear polarization system and configured to cool a sample to a temperature suitable for dynamic nuclear polarization to be carried out on the sample while the sample is in the cooling system. The cooling system includes a cryogenic chamber that includes a cryogenic fluid. The cooling system also includes a removable sample sleeve insertable within a portion of the cryogenic chamber. The removable sample sleeve is configured to define a sample path for the sample within the cryogenic chamber that is isolated from other parts of the cooling system.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a hyperpolarized substance is disclosed. A transport vessel for transporting such a hyperpolarized substance includes a vessel housing, a chamber formed within the vessel housing that is configured to receive a container holding a hyperpolarized substance, and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic containment field about the chamber when a current is supplied thereto, the magnetic containment field comprising a homogeneous magnetic field. The transport vessel also includes a non-magnetic power source to supply the current to the electromagnet and a control circuit configured to selectively interrupt the supply of current to the electromagnet so as to control generation of the magnetic containment field, with the transport vessel being magnetically inert when the supply of current to the electromagnet is interrupted by the control circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a hyperpolarized substance is disclosed. A transport vessel for transporting such a hyperpolarized substance includes a vessel housing, a chamber formed within the vessel housing that is configured to receive a container holding a hyperpolarized substance, and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic containment field about the chamber when a current is supplied thereto, the magnetic containment field comprising a homogeneous magnetic field. The transport vessel also includes a non-magnetic power source to supply the current to the electromagnet and a control circuit configured to selectively interrupt the supply of current to the electromagnet so as to control generation of the magnetic containment field, with the transport vessel being magnetically inert when the supply of current to the electromagnet is interrupted by the control circuit.

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 fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.

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.

Abstract: A fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.

Abstract: An electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) system includes a resistive magnet driven by a power supply such as a power supply module to generate radio frequency signals in a substantially coherent polyphase perfect sequence scheme. The EPRI system further includes image acquisition and processing electronics configured to generate, acquire, quantify and map pO2 information associated with a free radical agent in vivo and having a resonance line width that is sensitive to oxygen and in response to the radio frequency signals without imparting harmful heating effects to a corresponding human or animal body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of hyperpolarized 129Xe and to a method for the production of a contrast agent.

Abstract: DNP polarizer comprising a housing receiving a free end of a tubular fluid conduit positioned in fluid communication with a nozzle supported by said housing, said nozzle including an input port, a dispense port and a tapering inner surface or a stepped inner surface defining a nozzle flowpath extending in fluid communication between said input port and said dispense port.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for automated hyperpolarization of samples for use as an imaging agent comprising a sample box, an airlock chamber configured to receive a sample from the sample box, a cryogenic chamber, a guide channel to transport samples from the airlock chamber to the cryogenic chamber, a heater and pressure module coupled to the sample box, an insertion and retraction device to transport samples through the guide channel to and from the cryogenic chamber, a dissolution module coupled to the sample box, and a controller to regulate hyperpolarization of the samples by controlling one or more of position, sequencing, temperature, pressure, and dissolution of the samples within the apparatus. Also provided is a machine-readable medium comprising instruction which, when executed by a controller, causes a hyperpolarization apparatus to perform the steps of hyperpolarization of a sample.

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: 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: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

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 provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

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.