Direct Molecular Solution of Hyperpolarized 129Xe through Hollow Fiber Membranes

J. SCHMIEDESKAMP; P.P. ZÄNKER; R.H. ACOSTA; L. AGULLES-PEDRÓS; P. BLÜMLER; H.D. LEMKE; F. MEISE; W. SCHREIBER; H.W. SPIESS

Berlín, Alemania

Congreso; International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Meeting; 2007

MRI as a diagnostic tool is increasingly employing functional contrast agents to study or contrast entire mechanisms. Hence the production ofspecialized contrast agents is of great importance.Conventional MRI contrast agents (e.g. Gd-DTPA) do (and must) not pass membranes in the body due to their large size. Xenon atoms are smallenough to pass such barriers (e.g. Blood-brain barrier). Therefore dissolved hyperpolarized (HP) Xenon is an interesting candidate for a new (freediffusive) MRI contrast agent. To dissolve Xenon in blood via inhalation is quite problematic, due to the presence of oxygen and the slow passage intothe cardiovascular system. These problems can be overcome by dissolving Xe in a suitable carrier liquid and injection. Care has to be taken to avoidthe formation of stable foams.