Open-Source Automated Parahydrogen Hyperpolarizer for Molecular Imaging Using 13C Metabolic Contrast Agents

An open-source hyperpolarizer producing C-13 hyper polarized contrast agents using parahydroseri induited polarization (PHIP) for biomedical and other applications is presented. This PHIP hyperpolarizer utilizes an Ardinno microcontroller in cornatiction with a readily modified graphical user interface written in the open-source processing software environment to completely control the PHIP hyperpolarization process including remotely triggering an NMR spectrometer for efficient production of payloads of hyperpolarized contrast agent and in situ quality assurance of the produced hyperpolarizaticM. Key advantages of this hyperpolarizer include; (i) use of open source software and hardware seamlessly allowing for replication and further improvement as well as readily customizable integration with other NMR spectrometers or MRI. scanners (i.e., this is a multiplatforin design), (ii) relatively low cost and robustness, and (in) in situ detection capability and complete automation. The device performance is demonstrated by production of a dose (similar to 2-3 mL) of hyperpolarized C-13-succinate with %P-13C similar to 28% and 30 mM concentration and C-13-phospholactate at %P-13c similar to 15% and 25 mM concentration in aqueous medium. These contrast agents are used for ultrafast molecular imaging and Tectroscopy at 4.7 and,0.0475 T. In particular, the conversion of hyperpolarized C-13-phospholactate to C-13-lactate in vivo is used here to demonstratdthe feasibility of ultrafast rnultislice C-13 MRI after tail vein injection of hyperpolarized C-phospholactate in mice.