On-site Production of Hyperpolarised helium-3 for lung MRI

Proton (1H) MRI of tissues is routinely used for diagnosis, but this technique cannot be used for lung examinations. Laser Optical Pumping (OP) can almost fully polarise (‘hyperpolarises’) the nuclei in a helium-3 gas. MRI of this gas mixed as a tracer in the air breathed by subjects or patients provides accurate maps of its distribution in lungs and of various other quantities of potential physiological interest.

 

Prospects for the use of hyperpolarised gas MRI depend on the outcome of clinical evaluation of the specific potential for diagnosis of this new modality. They also depend on the development of efficient techniques to produce and manage hyperpolarised gas. We explore the potential of simple compact devices based on use of fibre lasers and peristaltic compressors for flexible on-site gas production.

View the full poster (PDF, 1.34Mb)

Principle of operation:
Principle of Optical pumping
Principle of gas polarisation for MRI
Managing polarisation losses

Current performance and prospects (summer 02):
Compact fibre lasers tailored for OP of helium
Gas production results

Examples of applications:
Initial bare-bone system in K-B hospital
Lung imaging & other applications
New system in LKB

Contact : P.-J. Nacher - Ecole Normale Supérieure, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, http://www.lkb.ens.fr/recherche/flquant

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last updated on August 1st, 2002 by P.J. Nacher