Enhancement of Sensitivity in the MRI of Hyperpolarised Noble Gases

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MRI of hyperpolarised (HP) noble gases (3He and 129Xe) shows much promise for imaging ventilation in lungs. Laser hyperpolarisation of gas atoms (with optical pumping) provides ample signal for gas MRI in the lungs. The methodological work carried out to date by the applicant with 3He, has established the University of Sheffield internationally in the area of HP gas MRI. The principle aims of this project, which will be carried out in Sheffield are: 1. Study the effects of magnetic field strength in HP gas MRI. This will make use of a dedicated lung imaging system operating at 0.2 T designed to image the lungs in the upright position, the 1.5 T whole body MRI scanner currently in use and a new 3 T whole body MRI system. The work would be of benefit to the international HP gas MRI research community and MR manufacturers in helping determine the optimum configuration of gas and field strength for performing this exciting new method of functional lung imaging. 2. Development of pulse sequences and radio frequency hardware for parallel imaging with HP gases. These methods will help reduce the amounts of gas needed for imaging through optimisation of polarisation usage. This is important if HP gas MRI is to become widely used in clinical practice since these gases are expensive limited resources. 3. Extend capability to the MRI of HP 129Xe and perform experiments to investigate the NMR physics of the two gases in the lung and to determine their potential sensitivity for functional lung imaging. The ultimate goal is to develop the technology to quantify lung function with as high spatial resolution as possible without the use of harmful ionising radiation as is currently used in the clinical standard lung imaging modalities / CT and nuclear scintigraphy. The potential applications in biomedicine, physical science and industrial research are numerous. The project will involve multiple collaborations with world leqading laboratories and industry working in the area and will help strengthen existing international inter-disciplinary collaborations [www.phil.ens.fr]. This prestigous award would allow the applicant to focus on his area of research expertise and will help consolidate Sheffield and the UK at the forefront of international research in this field..