Patent ID: 8154284
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: A61K,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method for carrying out an NMR experiment with enhanced sensitivity on a compound comprising hyperpolarizable nuclei, the method comprising the steps of: a) preparing a fluid having a temperature TF, containing spatially symmetric molecules comprising two halves each, with a non-Boltzmann nuclear spin state distribution of the symmetric molecules at this temperature TF; b) providing a compound with a defined chemical identity; c) providing a template that offers sites of ordered environment for the two halves of a symmetric molecule and a compound which can be arranged at each site, wherein the ordered environment distinguishes chemically or magnetically the two halves of a symmetric molecule arranged at each site, wherein the ordered environment allows interaction via scalar coupling or dipolar coupling between the two halves of a symmetric molecule and a compound arranged at each site; d) bringing together the prepared fluid, the provided compound and the provided template, thereby transferring the spin order from the symmetric molecules to the hyperpolarizable nuclei of the compound during a temporary association of the symmetric molecules, the compound, and the template while ultimately keeping the chemical identity of the compound; and e) performing an NMR measurement on the compound comprising hyperpolarized nuclei prepared in step d).