HYPERPOLARIZED SOLID MATERIALS WITH LONG SPIN RELAXATION TIMES FOR USE AS IMAGING AGENTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

摘要

An imaging agent is disclosed for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging agent includes a first substance and a second substance. The first substance includes at least one atom having non-zero nuclear spin providing a polarized magnetic orientation. The second substance is bound to the first substance and inhibits physical contact between the at least one atom and other atoms and molecules to thereby inhibit spin relaxation of the polarized magnetic orientation of the at least one atom.