Patent ID: 6430960
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for releasing the post-thaw cryogenically accumulated hyperpolarized gas from a cold finger collection container operably associated with exit flow path plumbing, comprising the steps of:cryogenically accumulating a quantity of hyperpolarized gas as a frozen sample in a cold finger; monitoring a pressure associated with the cryogenically collected hyperpolarized gas sample held in the cold finger; thawing at least a portion of the quantity of frozen hyperpolarized gas sample in the cold finger; increasing the pressure in the cold finger, thereby facilitating the phase transition of the hyperpolarized gas from a substantially frozen sample into a thawed fluid sample; and releasing the thawed fluid hyperpolarized sample as a gas from the cold finger responsive to when the hyperpolarized sample achieves a predetermined pressure based on the pressure determined during said monitoring step.