Magnetic resonance imaging of dissolved hyperpolarized 129Xe using a membrane-based continuous flow system

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 (Xe) MRI offers unique insights into lung function.
• Producing stable, high-concentration Xe solutions for in vivo MRI remains a challenge.
• Existing methods can suffer from foam and bubble formation, impacting image quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a continuous production technique for hyperpolarized Xe solutions for MRI.
• To investigate various carrier agents for their efficacy as in vivo MRI contrast agents.
• To demonstrate the application of this method for lung MRI, assessing ventilation and perfusion.

Main Methods:

• Utilized hollow fiber membranes to prevent foam and bubble formation during Xe dissolution.
• Systematically analyzed different carrier agents for hyperpolarized Xe.
• Compared image quality of various hyperpolarized Xe solutions.
• Acquired MRI data in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
• Demonstrated lung phantom imaging using dissolved and outgassed Xe.

Main Results:

• The hollow fiber membrane technique successfully produced stable solutions of hyperpolarized Xe.
• Identified effective carrier agents for in vivo MRI applications.
• Achieved comparable image quality across different Xe solutions.
• Successfully imaged a lung phantom, showcasing potential for lung ventilation and perfusion measurement.

Conclusions:

• The developed dissolution method provides a continuous and stable source of hyperpolarized Xe for MRI.
• This technique holds significant promise for advancing lung MRI applications, including perfusion and ventilation assessments.
• The use of hollow fiber membranes is a key innovation for overcoming previous limitations in Xe solution preparation.