Development of a Hyperpolarized 129Xe Generation System for MRI

将开发将超极化氙-129磁共振成像和波谱新技术应用于体外和活体动植物生物研究所需的仪器。该仪器将包括一个光泵室，用于产生超偏振氙气，一个气体输送系统，用于将气体输送到动物体内，以及一个低温陷阱，用于去除铷蒸气（生成过程所必需的）。当应用于这些系统时，该技术将在磁共振光谱和磁共振成像中产生更高的灵敏度和对比度。它将有助于阐明这样的系统和问题：可兴奋脂质膜的完整性和功能；肺结构与肺力学性能的关系肺内气体扩散；大脑的局部血流和氧合；功能性皮质制图；叶片和其他植物器官的细胞间气体扩散；水在根和叶中流动。

Instrumentation necessary to apply the novel technique of hyperpolarized xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to biological investigations conducted in vitro and with living plants and animals will be developed. This instrumentation will include an optical pumping chamber to generate the hyperpolarized xenon, a gas delivery system for administration of the gas to the animal and a low temperature trap for removal of the rubidium vapor (necessary for the generation process). This technique will result in greater sensitivity and contrast in magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging when applied to these systems. It will aid in illuminating such systems and problems as: the integrity and function of excitable lipid membranes; the relation of lung structure to lung mechanical properties; gas diffusion within the lung; regional blood flow and oxygenation in the brain; functional cortical mapping; intercellular gas diffusion in leaves and other plant organs; and water fluxes in roots and leaves.