title: A simple and low-cost device for generating hyperpolarized contrast agents using parahydrogen.
abstract: A detailed description of the construction and use of a device for hyperpolarization of select contrast agents is presented. The device is based on molecular incorporation of the spin-order inherent to parahydrogen, followed by order transfer to a metastable heteronuclear alignment. Design considerations and experimental results relating to catalyst/solvent choice and handling, solvent heating, efficient gas entrainment and spin-order transfer are described. The resulting degree of hyperpolarization is shown to be substantial, ranging from a few to over 50%, depending on the choice of target molecule. Finally, the use of the hyperpolarized agent is demonstrated in a series of in vivo images.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. stephen.kadlecek@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadlecek
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vahdat
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Kiarash
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizi
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D006859:Hydrogen