Patent ID: 9279868
Filing Date: 2016-03-08
CPC Classification: G01R

Claim Text:
1. A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample material for use in an NMR investigation, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first cryogenic region; (b) providing a target material containing a first hyperpolarizable nuclear species, a second hyperpolarizable nuclear species and a nuclear spin polarizing agent in the first cryogenic region, wherein the first hyperpolarizable nuclear species has a higher magnetic moment (γ) than the second hyperpolarizable nuclear species; (c) supplying microwave energy to the first cryogenic region to excite electron spin transitions in the polarizing agent in the presence of a magnetic field (B (d) causing the first hyperpolarizable nuclear species to interact with the electron spin system in the polarizing agent thereby generating hyperpolarization of at least the first nuclear species of the target material; (e) subjecting the target material to a lowered magnetic field, wherein the lowered magnetic field is such as to facilitate polarization transfer by means of nuclear thermal mixing between the first hyperpolarizable nuclear species and the second hyperpolarizable nuclear species, thereby to effect hyperpolarization of the second nuclear species; and (f) presenting the target material to a use in order to perform an NMR investigation using the second nuclear species hyperpolarized in step (e).