Enhancement of NMR and MRI in the presence of hyperpolarized noble gases

A method for analyzing a sample containing a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus, said method comprising:

• (a) combining a hyperpolarized noble gas with a fluid to form a mixture;
• (b) contacting the sample with said mixture, thereby transferring polarization from said hyperpolarized noble gas in said mixture to the sample;
• (c) scanning a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus detection pulse sequence to the sample for detecting said transferred polarization, whereby said transferred polarization detection is by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, or both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging;
• and
• (d) detecting the non-noble gas NMR active nucleus in the sample by said means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, or both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.

A method for analyzing a sample containing a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus, the method comprising:

• (a) contacting the sample with a hyperpolarized noble gas, thereby transferring polarization from said hyperpolarized noble gas to the sample;
• (b) scanning a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus detection pulse sequence to the sample for detecting said transferred polarization, whereby said transferred polarization detection is by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, or both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging, wherein said non-noble gas NMR active nucleus detection pulse sequence is a pulse sequence for heteronuclear difference spin polarization induced nuclear Overhauser effect (SPINOE) NMR of a system comprising said hyperpolarized noble gas and the non-noble gas NMR active nucleus, which comprises:
• a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus π/2 pulse;
• a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus π pulse;
• and
• a non-noble gas NMR active nucleus π/2 pulse;
• and
• (c) detecting the non-noble gas NMR active nucleus in the sample by said means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, or both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.