In-Vivo NMR of Hyperpolarized Helium-3 in the Human Lung at Very Low Magnetic Fields

Abstract

We present NMR measurements of the diffusion of hyperpolarized helium-3 in the human lung performed at fields much lower than those of conventional MRI scanners. The measurements were made on standing subjects using homebuilt apparatus operating at 3 mT. Oxygen-limited transverse relaxation (T2 up to 15-35 s) could be measured in-vivo. Accurate global diffusion measurements have been performed in-vivo and in-vitro. 1D ADC mapping with high SNR demonstrates the real possibility of performing quality lung imaging at extremely low fields.