In vivo He-3 MR images of guinea pig lungs.

Abstract

The authors imaged the lungs of live guinea pigs with hyperpolarized (HP) helium-3 as a magnetic resonance (MR) signal source. HP He-3 gas produced through spin exchange with rubidium metal vapor was delivered through an MR-compatible, small-animal ventilator. Two- and three-dimensional lung images acquired with ventilation-gated, radial k-space sampling showed complete ventilation of both lungs. All images were of high quality, demonstrating that HP He-3 allows high-signal-intensity MR imaging in living systems.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Laser-Polarized Noble Gases in Molecules, Materials, and Organisms

“…[211,212,213,214,215]). Indeed, progress in this field has been rapid, as multiple studies involving human subjects have now been performed [216,.…”

Automated feedback control of body temperature for small animal studies with MR microscopy

“…Animal and Imaging Study: Animals (rats 140-350 g, guinea pigs 250-550 g, ferrets 250-300 g, and mice 25-40 g) were anesthetized with methohexital sodium, intubated with an endotracheal tube, and maintained on a MR-compatible ventilator with isoflurane anesthesia [3], [7]. More detailed description of animal preparation methods can be found in several publications [8]- [12]. Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes were taped to foot pads and the thermistor was inserted into the rectum.…”

Functional Imaging: CT and MRI

“…When this gas is introduced in a MRI environment, the usual RF frequency and response will result in enhanced signal, and this application successfully obtained the first images in the early-mid 1990s. (157)(158)(159) Among the noble gases, the application of hyperpolarized 3-He has so far been widely used in clinical research studies, as the gas has better signal-to-noise ratio and remains in the airways without further interaction with the human body (in contrast to 129-Xe, which is lipid soluble and has anesthetic properties at higher concentrations). (156) However, improvement in hyperpolarization systems has meant that 129-Xenon MR imaging is making rapid strides forward, giving new insight in lung function.…”