Methods and compositions for detecting and imaging a gas in an animal by nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract

A novel and improved method to detect and/or measure indirectly at least one gas, particularly dissolved gases, of an animal employing nuclear magnetic resonance techniques (NMR). The method examines an NMR spectrum to determine chemical shift relaxation times or spin-spin couplings for an element of an animal influenced by at least one gas of the animal. Uniquely, the gas detected according to the principles of this invention may be insensitive to present NMR techniques. Further, the present invention discloses a novel method to determine and monitor gaseous physiological states of an animal. Because of the unique and advantageous non-invasive, non-destructive and non-ionizing properties, the present invention may be employed in an animal continuously and in vivo. Still further, the present invention provides for the imaging of at least one-, two-, or three-dimensional projections reconstructed from a chemical shift, relaxation times, or spin-spin couplings for an element of an animal influenced by at least one gas in the animal. Novel compounds directed to providing radio-frequency reference signals in which chemical shifts may be determined therefrom are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.