Portable polarizer for clinical-scale metabolic MRI of hyperpolarized pyruvate

Motivation: The limited availability and accessibility of cost-effective quantities of 13C-hyperpolarized metabolites, such as pyruvate, acts as a significant barrier to the advancement and practical clinical implementation of metabolic-driven molecular imaging, especially in early-stage cancer detection. Goal(s): Objective is to develop a portable device capable of delivering sufficient, clinically relevant doses of hyperpolarized pyruvate to support medical applications. Approach: We employ the Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization with Side Arm Hydrogenation approach, which offers a faster (~1min) and more cost-efficient alternative to the prevailing state-of-the-art technology, dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization. Results: Our polarizer routinely produces a 40ml dose of hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate-d3, containing a concentration exceeding 100mM. Impact: Enhancing accessibility to clinically relevant hyperpolarized pyruvate will empower more MR research groups to leverage its potential. This development also paves the way for easier translation to clinical settings, ultimately benefiting cancer patients by supporting early detection and diagnosis capabilities.