Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents: water soluble carbon-13 enriched fullerene and carbon nanotubes for use with dynamic nuclear polarization
First Claim
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1. A contrast agent for enhancing contrast in in vivo magnetic resonance imaging measurements, comprising an air stable, water soluble carbon-13 enriched fullerene or carbon nanotube molecule.
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Abstract
The invention relates to carbon-13 enriched fullerene and carbon nanotube (CNT) compositions for improved magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). The invention also relates to a dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) method of MRI utilizing the carbon-13 enriched fullerene and CNTs of the invention.
107 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A contrast agent for enhancing contrast in in vivo magnetic resonance imaging measurements, comprising an air stable, water soluble carbon-13 enriched fullerene or carbon nanotube molecule.
- 4. A method of water solubilizing a carbon-13 enriched fullerene or carbon nanotube contrast agent comprising derivatizing the fullerene shell with water soluble functional groups.
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6. A dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of a sample of body organs and tissues, comprising:
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(i) producing a hyperpolarized solution of carbon-13 enriched fullerenes or carbon nanotubes wherein the hyperpolarization of the sample is effected by means of a polarizing agent;
(ii) optionally separating the whole, substantially the whole, or a portion of said polarizing agent from the carbon-13 enriched fullerenes or carbon nanotubes;
(iii) administering to said sample a diagnostically effective amount of the hyperpolarized solution;
(iv) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in magnetic resonance imaging carbon-13 nuclei of the enriched fullerenes or carbon nanotubes; and
(v) detecting magnetic resonance signals from said sample. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing diagnostic treatment to a patient comprising administering to said patient a diagnostically effective amount of a composition comprising carbon-13 enriched water soluble fullerene or carbon nanotube MRI contrast agents.
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13. A method of using carbon-13 enriched fullerenes or carbon nanotubes for an in vivo MRI procedure in blood pool imaging or targeting studies.
- 14. A pre-polarized or hyperpolarized composition of carbon-13 enriched fullerenes or carbon nanotubes.
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