Storage and delivery containers for imaging and spectroscopic agents

Abstract

A container for a polarizable gas includes an elongate container sheet having a laminate of a sealing layer and a barrier layer, a sealed container cavity defined by the container sheet by perimetrically sealing the sealing layer upon itself so as to enclose the container cavity, and a quantity of a polarizable gas within the container cavity. A method of evacuating the polarzable gas from the container includes evacuating the passageway of a fitting attached to the container prior to puncturing the container and evacuating its contents through the fitting.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for a polarizable gas comprising: 
 an elongate container sheet comprising a laminate of a sealing layer and a barrier layer;    a sealed container cavity defined by said container sheet by perimetrically sealing said sealing layer upon itself so as to enclose said container cavity; and    a quantity of a polarizable gas within said container cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container sheet further comprises a laminate of a metalized polymeric layer for providing both a heat sealable layer and a gas barrier for said polarizable gas.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said container sheet further comprises a laminate including a PET layer for providing abrasion resistance to the container.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container cavity is further defined between said perimetrical seam extending between a substantially linear crease folded into said container sheet.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container cavity is further defined between said container sheet and a second container sheet perimetrically sealed together.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a mixture of said hyperpolarizable gas with a non-hyperpolarizable gas.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said mixture comprises approximately 99.25% 3He and approximately 0.75% N 2 .  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a elongate fluid exchange fitting mounted upon an outside surface of said container sheet, said fitting being connectable to a gas withdrawal system for evacuating said mixture from said container cavity.  
     
     
         9 . A method for preparing an expandable storage container for receiving a quantity of hyperpolarizable gas, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a container cavity with an elongate container sheet;    perimetrically sealing said container cavity by joining the overlying perimetrical edges together about a fill port;    providing a quantity of purge gas into the hyperpolarizable gas container through said fill port;    expanding the hyperpolarized gas container by directing a quantity of purge gas therein;    collapsing the hyperpolarized gas container by removing purge gas therefrom; filling said container cavity with a hyperpolarizable gas mixture; and    sealing said fill port so as to provide a sealed container cavity holding said hyperpolarizable gas mixture.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said forming step further comprises forming said container cavity between a first and second container sheet.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of attaching an evacuation fitting to an outside surface of said container, said fitting being connectable to a gas withdrawal system for evacuating said mixture from said container cavity.  
     
     
         12 . A method of withdrawing a polarizable gas mixture from a container holding the gas mixture, the container comprising an elongate container sheet comprising a laminate of a sealing layer and a barrier layer; a sealed container cavity defined by the container sheet by folding over the container sheet and perimetrically sealing the sealing layer upon itself so as to enclose the container cavity; and a quantity of a polarizable gas within the container cavity, the container further having a fitting affixed thereto, the fitting defining a passageway through which the gas mixture is to be evacuated, comprising the steps of: 
 engaging the fitting with a dispense mechanism so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween;    evacuating air from the fitting passageway;    puncturing the container so that the fitting passageway is in unobstructed fluid communication with the container cavity; and    evacuating the gas mixture from the container cavity through the fitting passageway.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said puncturing step further comprises the step of puncturing the container through the fitting passageway.