Hyperpolarized gas transport and storage devices and associated transport and storage methods using permanent magnets

A transport unit for transporting hyperpolarized gas products, comprising:

• at least one gas chamber configured to hold a quantity of hyperpolarized gas therein;
• a first upstanding end wall comprising a first set of spaced-apart discrete permanent magnets positioned thereon;
• a second upstanding end wall positioned in said transport unit spaced apart from and opposing said first wall to define a gas enclosure volume for holding said gas chamber therebetween, said second upstanding wall comprising a second set of spaced-apart discrete permanent magnets positioned thereon;
• wherein said first and second magnet sets are circumferentially arranged about two corresponding circles with corresponding first diameters and aligned centers on said first and second walls, respectively;
• wherein each of said discrete permanent magnets has a magnetic north and south pole associated therewith;
• and
• said first magnet set is arranged on said first wall such that the magnetic north pole of each magnet in said first magnet set is directed toward the center of the circle that said first magnet set is arranged thereabout, and the magnetic south pole of each magnet in said second magnet set is directed toward the center of the circle around which said second magnet set is arranged about;
• and
• wherein said permanent magnets in each of said first and second magnet sets are arranged to laterally extend toward the other a minor distance to define a central free space with a magnetic holding field having a region of homogeneity therebetween.