In vivo NMR and MRI using injection delivery of laser-polarized xenon

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 Dec 23;94(26):14725-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.94.26.14725.

Abstract

Because xenon NMR is highly sensitive to the local environment, laser-polarized xenon could be a unique probe of living tissues. Realization of clinical and medical science applications beyond lung airspace imaging requires methods of efficient delivery of laser-polarized xenon to tissues, because of the short spin-lattice relaxation times and relatively low concentrations of xenon attainable in the body. Preliminary results from the application of a polarized xenon injection technique for in vivo 129Xe NMR/MRI are extrapolated along with a simple model of xenon transit to show that the peak local concentration of polarized xenon delivered to tissues by injection may exceed that delivered by respiration by severalfold.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lasers
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Radiography
  • Xenon Radioisotopes*

Substances

  • Xenon Radioisotopes