Patent ID: 7850152
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: A61K,A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for adding moisture to hyperpolarized noble gas product suitable for in vivo administration, comprising: a hyperpolarized noble gas supply source providing the dose of hyperpolarized noble gas required for an imaging session; an enclosed gas flow path extending between the hyperpolarized noble gas supply source and an oral cavity for a subject; means for flowing, under pressure, a quantity of hyperpolarized noble gas along the gas flow path; means for introducing moisture to a quantity of gaseous phase hyperpolarized noble gas in fluid communication with the hyperpolarized noble gas supply source, said means for introducing moisture being located between the hyperpolarized noble gas supply source and the subject; and means for generating a moisturized pharmaceutical grade gaseous hyperpolarized noble gas product which is suitable for inhalation or ventilation administration to a subject, wherein said introducing means is configured so as to moisturize in situ while the hyperpolarized gas is flowing along the gas flow path, so that the moisture is introduced at or in advance of the oral cavity of the subject; said apparatus configured such that said enclosed gas flow path only conducts the moisture and the hyperpolarized noble gas therealong.