Hyperpolarization of lithium and other nuclei

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention presents a new method for hyperpolarizing lithium (and other nuclei) by initially optically pumping an alkali metal (such as rubidium, potassium, or cesium) in a sample cell using laser light, and then transferring this electronic spin polarization to lithium atoms through spin exchange. The lithium atoms are subsequently oxidized to Li+ ions while retaining their nuclear spin polarization, which can then be further transferred to other nuclei, such as 13C, 31P, or 29Si. This process enables the production of highly polarized lithium and other nuclei in solid or liquid form and in much greater quantities than previously possible.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Production of hyperpolarized MRI contrast agents using lithium ions, potentially improving imaging quality and expanding applications to organs like the brain.
• Preparation of hyperpolarized tracers or probes for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, allowing for more sensitive detection and analysis of biological and chemical samples.
• Synthesis of hyperpolarized compounds (such as Li2CO3, Li4SiO4, Li3PO4, etc.) for use in material sciences, catalysis studies, or chemical research.
• Hyperpolarization of other nuclei (like 13C, 31P, 29Si) for enhanced imaging or analytical techniques in medical diagnostics and fundamental research.
• Development of biocompatible solutions of hyperpolarized lithium or associated salts for injection into living organisms for imaging or physiological tracking.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables production and storage of much larger quantities of hyperpolarized lithium ions than previously possible, making many applications feasible for the first time.
• Significantly increases the polarization levels (up to 90%), enhancing sensitivity in imaging and spectroscopy.
• Provides an alternative to expensive/rare hyperpolarized noble gases for MRI and NMR applications; lithium salts are cheaper and more abundant.
• Offers long nuclear relaxation times (signal retention), especially for hyperpolarized 6Li in both liquid and solid phases, which is beneficial for storage, transport, and subsequent use.
• Capable of polarizing other important nuclei through spin transfer mechanisms, expanding utility across multiple fields (medicine, material science, chemistry).
• Compatible with large-scale production and biocompatible solvents, supporting real-world translational and clinical applications.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention concerns a method for hyperpolarizing lithium atoms in a mixture by optically pumping, in a sampling cell, atoms of a first type or alkali metal and by spin exchange between the optically pumped electron of the alkali metal and the lithium atom electron. The lithium atoms are preferably oxidized into Li+ ions and accumulated. The nuclear spin polarization of the Li+ ions can be transmitted to a nuclear spin of an anion. The invention also concerns a method for producing substances with nuclear spin polarization in general. In accordance with said method, lithium atoms are optically pumped from atoms of a first type of alkali metal in a sampling cell and hyperpolarized by spin exchange between the optical pumped electron of the alkali metal and the lithium atom electron, the lithium atoms being then oxidized into Li+ ions. Then, the nuclear spin polarization of the Li+ ions is transmitted to another nucleus of an anion. Thus it is possible to obtain hyperpolarized nuclei such as, for example, 13C, 31P or 29Si in solid or liquid phase, in large amounts and at high polarizing levels.