Systems, compositions and devices for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of lungs using perfluorinated gas mixtures

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating MRI images of the lungs and/or airways of a subject using a medical grade gas mixture comprises between about 20-79% inert perfluorinated gas and oxygen gas. The images are generated using acquired 19 F magnetic resonance image (MRI) signal data associated with the perfluorinated gas and oxygen mixture.

1 . A trifunctional medical grade gas composition for administration to a human patient for generating MRI images, the gas comprising:
 about 21% oxygen gas;   between about 20% to about 78% inert perfluorinated gas; and   between about 1-15% anesthesia gas.   
     
     
         2 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 1 , wherein the gas composition is held in a pressurized canister that holds the medical grade mixture in a gaseous phase. 
     
     
         3 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 2 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is held at a pressure in the pressurized canister that is sufficiently low so that a dense gas component remains in a gaseous state under normal operating conditions of at least one of about 21 degrees C. or room temperature and pressure to thereby maintain a constant component ratio of the mixture. 
     
     
         4 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 2 , wherein the pressurized canister has an eight inch diameter and is 52 inches long. 
     
     
         5 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoropropane (PFP or C 3 F 8 ). 
     
     
         6 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF 6 ). 
     
     
         7 . The medical grade gas composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoroethane. 
     
     
         8 . A pressurized gas canister holding a medical grade gas mixture comprising:
 between 20-79% inert perfluorinated gas; and   at least 20.5% oxygen gas, wherein the medical grade gas mixture is held at a pressure in the pressurized canister so that a dense gas component remains in a gaseous state under normal operating conditions of about 21 degrees C. and/or room temperature and pressure.   
     
     
         9 . The canister of  claim 8 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture further comprises between about 1-15% anesthesia gas. 
     
     
         10 . The canister of  claim 8 , wherein the pressurized canister has an eight inch diameter and is 52 inches long. 
     
     
         11 . The canister of  claim 8 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoropropane (PFP or C 3 F 8 ). 
     
     
         12 . The canister of  claim 8 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF 6 ). 
     
     
         13 . The canister of  claim 8 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation, and wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoroethane. 
     
     
         14 . A pressurized gas supply for MRI images, comprising:
 a pressurized canister of a medical grade gas mixture comprising perfluorinated gas in a level that is between 20-79% and oxygen gas in a level that is at least 20.5%, wherein the pressurized canister is at a sufficiently low pressure to hold the gas mixture in a gaseous state at room temperature; and   an enclosed gas flow path in fluid communication with the pressurized canister of the medical grade gas mixture comprising at least one conduit extending from the canister to a dispensing member adapted to reside over, on or in a respective patient while the patient resides inside a magnetic field of an MRI scanner to deliver the medical grade gas mixture.   
     
     
         15 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture further comprises between about 1-15% anesthesia gas. 
     
     
         16 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the pressurized canister has an eight inch diameter and is 52 inches long. 
     
     
         17 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoropropane (PFP or C 3 F 8 ). 
     
     
         18 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF 6 ). 
     
     
         19 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the perfluorinated gas comprises perfluoroethane. 
     
     
         20 . The gas supply of  claim 14 , wherein the medical grade gas mixture is formulated for human inhalation.