Patent ID: 6630126
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A61B,A61K,A61M,G01R

Abstract:
A method of evaluating a subject, comprising the steps of:positioning a subject having a pulmonary region and a blood circulation path including veins and arteries in an NMR system, the subject's pulmonary region having pulmonary veins and pulmonary arteries and associated vasculature defining a pulmonary portion of the circulation path; injecting a first quantity of polarized gaseous phase 129Xe directly into at least one vein of the subject, wherein the first quantity of polarized gaseous phase 129Xe is less than about 100 cubic centimeters; obtaining NMR signal data associated with the injected polarized 129Xe in the pulmonary region of the subject, the signal data including information corresponding to the polarized gas introduced in said injecting step; generating an MRI image having spatial visual representation of the NMR signal data of the injected polarized 129Xe; identifying the presence of at least one condition of blockage, restriction, abnormality, and substantially unobstructed free passage of the pulmonary circulation path; providing a container configured to hold the first injectable quantity of polarized gaseous 129Xe therein; preparing the container to hold the first injectable quantity of polarized gaseous 129Xe therein by introducing then expelling CO2 from the container thereby leaving residual traces of CO2 therein; and then introducing the first quantity of polarized gaseous 129Xe into the container prior to the step of injecting.