Fig 5.
Four methods for hyperpolarized-MR imaging and spectroscopy. In the historic order of discovery, parahydrogen-induced polarization (PASADENA); optical pumping of noble gases helium and xenon; dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP); and Brute Force have each been harnessed to the challenge of increasing enhancement above the Boltzmann distribution of approximately 1 ppm toward unity, with upwards of 10,000-fold enhancement of MR signal intensity for in vivo MR imaging and MR spectroscopy.