The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
May. 30, 1997
Matthew S Rosen, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Scott D Swanson, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Kevin P Coulter, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Robert C Welsh, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Timothy Chupp, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
The Regent of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A system, and corresponding method, that interfaces with a gas polarization system to deliver a polarized noble gas to a subject for inhalation. Large volumes of polarized noble gas are obtained by repeated production/freezing cycles of a spin-exchange system. A storage cylinder is provided for storing a polarized noble gas. A gas delivery line is coupled to the storage cylinder and selectively delivers the polarized noble gas to the storage cylinder, and from the storage cylinder to the subject. A vacuum means is in communication with the gas delivery line for evacuating the storage cylinder in the gas delivery line prior to the noble gas being delivered thereto. A plurality of non-metallic gas delivery valves, located between the gas delivery line and the vacuum means, selectively control communication between the vacuum means and the polarized noble gas to minimize depolarization of the polarized noble gas during delivery of the noble gas to the subject on a breath-by-breath basis, or at a constant delivery rate. Control of remotely activated pneumatic valves allows complete automation of the polarization/accumulation/storage/delivery cycle for use in a low maintenance commercial device suitable for clinical and research applications. The polarization stage can be optimized for a particular noble gas species and particular application by the specific programming of the control electronics or computer.