NMR polarization monitoring coils, hyperpolarizers with same, and methods for determining the polarization level of accumulated hyperpolarized noble gases during production
US6295834A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/281
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Hyperpolarizers which produce hyperpolarized noble gases include one or more on-board NMR monitoring coils configured to monitor the polarization level of the hyperpolarized gas at various production points in the polarized gas production cycle. A dual symmetry NMR coil is positioned adjacent the optical pumping cell and is in fluid communication with a secondary reservoir in fluid communication with the polarized gas dispensing or exit flow path. This can measure the post-thaw polarization of the gas "on-board" the polarizer. Alternately or additionally, a NMR monitoring coil is assembled to the exit port portion of the optical pumping cell to give a more reliable indication of the polarization level of the gas as it flows out of the gas optical pumping cell. Another NMR monitoring coil can be positioned in a cryogenic bath adjacent a quantity of frozen polarized .sup.129 Xe to determine the polarization level of the frozen gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.