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

A technique for continuous production of solutions containing hyperpolarized Xe-129 is explored for MRI applications. The method is based on hollow fiber membranes which inhibit the formation of foams and bubbles. A systematic analysis of various carrier agents for hyperpolarized Xe-129 has been carried out, which are applicable as contrast agents for in vivo MRI. The image quality of different hyperpolarized Xe solutions is compared and MRI results obtained in a clinical as well as in a nonclinical MRI setting are provided. Moreover, we demonstrate the application of Xe-129 contrast agents produced with our dissolution method for lung MRI by imaging hyperpolarized Xe-129 that has been both dissolved in and out-gassed from a carrier liquid in a lung phantom, illustrating its potential for the measurement of lung perfusion and ventilation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.