Containers for hyperpolarized gases and associated methods

A method for determining the hyperpolarized gas solubility in a material such as a polymer or fluid, comprising the steps of:

• introducing a first quantity of hyperpolarized gas into a container;
• measuring a first relaxation time of the hyperpolarized gas in the container;
• positioning a sample of a desired material in the container;
• introducing a second quantity of the hyperpolarized noble gas into the container;
• measuring a second relaxation time of the hyperpolarized gas in the container;
• and
• determining the gas solubility of the sample based on the difference between the first and second relaxation times.

A resilient container for holding a quantity of hyperpolarized gas therein, said container comprising:

• a resilient body defined by at least one wall comprising inner and outer surfaces configured to define a gas holding chamber such that said body wall has a first collapsed position and a second inflated position associated with an unfilled and filled chamber, respectively;
• and
• a quantity of hyperpolarized noble gas held in said chamber;
• wherein said resilient body wall inner surface comprises a metallic material which defines the gas-contacting surface and which inhibits contact-induced polarization loss of said hyperpolarized gas held in said chamber;
• and
• wherein said resilient body is configured to inhibit the migration of oxygen into said chamber.

A method for filling a container having a collapsible body, comprising the steps of:

• providing a container body with a gas holding chamber such that the container body expands and collapses in response to the filling and purging of gas directed into and out of the chamber, respectively, wherein the internal gas-contacting surface of the container body is formed with a high purity metal to inhibit the contact depolarization attributed thereto;
• directing a quantity of hyperpolarized gas into said container body;
• expanding the container body by accumulating a quantity of hyperpolarized gas in the gas holding chamber to hold the hyperpolarized gas therein;
• and
• sealing the container body to retain the accumulated quantity of gas therein.