New Hyperpolarizer Enables Users to Double Polarization Levels for MR Imaging of Lungs

New technology has been devised to generate hyperpolarized inert xenon gas, which is used in conjunction with standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create high resolution three-dimensional (3D) images of the human lung. This technique is a novel way to track extremely small changes in lung structure and lung function, and is used in basic and clinical research to study lung physiology and to monitor the efficacy of new drugs.

Polarean, Inc. (Durham, NC, USA), a developer of hyperpolarized gas technology, devised the new system to greatly enhance polarization rates. The new technology is now being offered as an upgrade kit to current owners of 9800 series Polarean xenon hyperpolarizers, enabling them to consistently reach polarization levels of 20%–25%. Further polarization enhancements are underway, to be included in the new 9820 Series of Polarean hyperpolarizers, available in mid-2015.

Polarean’s hyperpolarization technology addresses a significant need in pulmonary research and drug development. Higher levels of polarization provide researchers with additional flexibility. They can decrease the amount of xenon to be inhaled, without compromising image quality, and this is especially important in pediatric studies. Or, researchers can use the same amount of xenon and achieve higher image quality.

“We have made significant improvements in our hyperpolarization technology, especially in the downstream recovery of polarized xenon,” commented Dr. Bastiaan Driehuys, Polarean’s founder and chief scientific officer. “In addition, Polarean is developing a new generation of polarizers that not only include these downstream improvements, but also new optical cell designs and a more powerful laser. Together, these improvements will take our polarization and production levels even higher.”

Polarean expects to launch this new line of hyperpolarizers in mid-2015. Polarean’s research equipment is currently in use at leading academic research centers in North America and Europe.

Polarean, Inc. began operations in 2012, after securing all assets and intellectual property for hyperpolarized gas MRI from GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK). Polarean designs and manufactures equipment for production of hyperpolarized xenon or helium gases. When used in conjunction with MRI, these gases offer an essentially new and noninvasive functional imaging platform. Current research uses include early diagnosis of respiratory diseases as well as monitoring progression and therapeutic response. Moreover, xenon gas exhibits solubility and signal properties that enable it to be imaged within other tissues and organs as well. Polarean hyperpolarization systems are currently sold in the United States and internationally for research and investigational applications only.

The central equipment required for hyperpolarized gas MRI is a polarizer. Using circularly polarized laser light, the polarizer transforms the inert, stable noble gas isotopes ³He and ¹²⁹Xe into their hyperpolarized states. This process leaves the gases chemically unaltered, while their nuclei are magnetically aligned. The resulting MRI signal is enhanced by a factor of 100,000, making direct imaging of gas molecules possible.

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