Patent ID: 7287390

Claim:
A hyperpolarizer for producing polarized noble gases, comprising: a control module configured to direct the operation of a hyperpolarizer to produce polarized noble gas via spin-exchange interactions between a noble gas and an alkali metal; a plurality of optical pumping modules each including an optical pumping cell operably associated with the control module; a plurality of dispensing systems, one for each optical pumping module, wherein each dispensing system is operably associated with the control module and the its associated optical pumping module to dispense meted volumes of polarized gas from the hyperpolarizer; and a fluid distribution system operably associated with the control module, the optical pumping modules, and the dispensing systems, such that, in response to commands transmitted from the control module, and wherein each of the fluid distribution systems operate to automatically direct purge gas into and out of a selected gas travel path that extends from the control module to its associated optical pumping cell prior to commencing the spin-exchange interactions in the optical pumping cell, then to receive unpolarized gas and direct it to travel in the gas travel path to the associated optical pumping cell, and, following the spin-exchange interactions, to automatically direct polarized gas from the optical pumping cell into a polarized gas exit travel path to the corresponding dispensing system.