Abstract: Polarized nuclear imaging and spectroscopy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, nuclei of a radioactive substance are polarized such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission. The radioactive substance is selected such that the degree of anisotropy is enhanced. A tracer is introduced into a living subject for delivery to a target area of interest in the subject. The tracer is delivered such that nuclear spin relaxation of the tracer is inhibited during transport of the tracer to the target area of interest. Gamma rays from the gamma ray emission are detected, and based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data are obtained that are associated with the tracer in the subject.

Abstract: Polarized nuclear imaging and spectroscopy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, nuclei of a radioactive substance are polarized such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission. The radioactive substance is selected such that the degree of anisotropy is enhanced. A tracer is introduced into a living subject for delivery to a target area of interest in the subject. The tracer is delivered such that nuclear spin relaxation of the tracer is inhibited during transport of the tracer to the target area of interest. Gamma rays from the gamma ray emission are detected, and based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data are obtained that are associated with the tracer in the subject.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for examining a subject. In one embodiment, a method includes polarizing nuclei of a radioactive substance such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission probability. The method also includes introducing the tracer into a subject. The method further includes applying radio frequency oscillating (RF) magnetic fields and/or spatially varying magnetic fields to the tracer that are configured to manipulate the orientation of the spins such as to manipulate the directional dependence of gamma ray emission from the tracer. The method further includes detecting gamma rays from the gamma ray emission, and obtaining, based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data associated with the tracer in the subject.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for examining a subject. In one embodiment, a method includes polarizing nuclei of a radioactive substance such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission probability. The method also includes introducing the tracer into a subject. The method further includes applying radio frequency oscillating (RF) magnetic fields and/or spatially varying magnetic fields to the tracer that are configured to manipulate the orientation of the spins such as to manipulate the directional dependence of gamma ray emission from the tracer. The method further includes detecting gamma rays from the gamma ray emission, and obtaining, based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data associated with the tracer in the subject.