Fig. 2: Schematic of the hyperpolarisation process.
From: The use of hyperpolarised 13C-MRI in clinical body imaging to probe cancer metabolism
A solution of 13C-labelled pyruvate is doped with a free radical (electrons show in blue) to facilitate hyperpolarisation, while placed in a magnetic field of around 3.35–5 T, cooled to ~1 K (–272 °C), and irradiated with microwaves. After rapid dissolution and successful quality checks (temperature, pH etc.), the solution can be injected intravenously.
