Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to core/shell nanoparticles, wherein such core/shell nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle core and a nanoshell disposed about the nanoparticle core such that, in the aggregate, they form a core/shell nanoparticle that is operable for use as an imaging agent in X-ray/computed tomography (CT). Typically, such core/shell nanoparticle-based X-ray CT imaging agents further comprise a targeting species for targeting the imaging agent to diseased sites.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to core/shell nanoparticles, wherein such core/shell nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle core and a nanoshell disposed about the nanoparticle core such that, in the aggregate, they form a core/shell nanoparticle that is operable for use as an imaging agent in X-ray/computed tomography (CT). Typically, such core/shell nanoparticle-based X-ray CT imaging agents further comprise a targeting species for targeting the imaging agent to diseased sites.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to core/shell nanoparticles, wherein such core/shell nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle core and a nanoshell disposed about the nanoparticle core such that, in the aggregate, they form a core/shell nanoparticle that is operable for use as an imaging agent in X-ray/computed tomography (CT). Typically, such core/shell nanoparticle-based X-ray CT imaging agents further comprise a targeting species for targeting the imaging agent to diseased sites.

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 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 present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for providing contrast agent for e.g. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) applications. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of obtaining (100) a solution in a solvent of a hydrogenatable, unsaturated substrate compound and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of a substrate compound, hydrogenating (110) the substrate with hydrogen gas (H2) enriched in para-hydrogen (p-1H2) to form a hydrogenated contrast agent and exposing (120) the contrast agent to a oscillating magnetic field in combination with a stationary magnetic field. The apparatus comprises a magnetic treatment unit (240) equipped with means for producing an oscillating and a stationary magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for providing contrast agent for e.g. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) applications. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of obtaining (100) a solution in a solvent of a hydrogenatable, unsaturated substrate compound and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of a substrate compound, hydrogenating (105) the substrate with hydrogen gas (H2) enriched in para-hydrogen (p-1H2) to form a hydrogenated contrast agent and exposing (110: 705) the contrast agent to a magnetic field cycling profile adapted for enhancing the contrasting effects of the contrast agent. The magnetic field cycling profile comprises an initial decrease of the magnetic field followed by at least one increase of the magnetic field, which increase should be arranged as to give a non-adiabatic (diabatic) remagnetisation of the contrast agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for providing contrast agent for e.g. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) applications. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of obtaining (100) a solution in a solvent of a hydrogenatable, unsaturated substrate compound and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of a substrate compound, hydrogenating (110) the substrate with hydrogen gas (H2) enriched in para-hydrogen (p-1H2) to form a hydrogenated contrast agent and exposing (120, 305) the contrast agent to a sequence of pulses of magnetic field. The apparatus comprises a magnetic treatment unit (240) equipped with means for producing pulses of magnetic field.

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: 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 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 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: 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 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 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 present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), any of it enantiomers, or any mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 each independently are hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, amino, acyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminocarbonyl, or acylamino; R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or phenylalkyl; X is —CH2—Z—, Z—CH2—, NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, or —CH═CH—; wherein Z is O, S, CH2, or NH; Y is O, —CH2—W—, —W—CH2—; wherein W is O, or S; and n is 0, 1 or 2. The compounds are useful in the treatment of psychotic disorders.

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.