Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic nuclear polarization apparatus (116) for continuous provision of hyperpolarized samples (114) comprising dynamically nuclear polarized nuclear spins, the apparatus (116) comprising a polarization region (106) for polarization of said nuclear spins resulting in said hyperpolarized samples, wherein the apparatus (116) further comprises: a cryostat (102) for cooling the samples (114) in the polarization region (106), a magnet (100) for providing a magnetic field to the cooled samples in the polarization region (106), a radiation source (112) for concurrently to the magnetic field provision providing a nuclear polarizing radiation to the polarization region (106) for receiving the hyperpolarized samples, a sample transport system (104) for continuously receiving unpolarized samples (114), transporting the unpolarized samples to the polarization region (106) for nuclear spin polarization and providing the resulting hyperpolarized samples (114).

Abstract: A dispenser (132), a magnetic resonance imaging system (100), and a method for using hyperpolarized contrast agent (304) during a magnetic resonance imaging examination. The dispenser comprises an attachment component (136) for a face piece (138). The face piece is adapted for receiving the surface of a subject (114) such that when the subject inhales hyperpolarized contrast agent enters the respiratory system of the subject. The dispenser further comprises a reservoir (300) adapted for receiving the hyperpolarized contrast agent. The dispenser further comprises a gas flow (406) tube connected to the attachment component and a vaporizer (406, 408, 412, 510, 602, 606) for vaporizing the hyperpolarized contrast agent in the gas flow tube into a hyperpolarized vapor. The dispenser further comprises a controller (402) for controlling when the vaporizer vaporizes the hyperpolarized contrast agent.