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Harrison, Arthur (2025) Benchtop to bedside: developments in pulmonary MRI. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This work focuses on two distinct methods for pulmonary MRI: the development of contrast-based hyperpolarised noble gases production techniques and the implementation and application of free-breathing 1H-based functional imaging at 0.5 T. An overview of the thesis and a list of published works are provided in Chapter 1, followed by four novel research chapters.

Established Spin Exchange Optical Pumping (SEOP) polarisers typically specialise in polarising a single noble gas isotope. Chapter 2 follows the construction and testing of a versatile preclinical polariser, able to produce large volumes of hyperpolarised 129Xe, 83Kr and 131Xe. The SEOP process necessitates the dilution of the hyperpolarised species and subsequent purification is required to maximise SNR; however, hyperpolarised krypton cannot be purified by established cryogenic-based methods. Therefore, Chapter 3 follows the engineering development of a novel purification apparatus for hyperpolarised 129Xe and 83Kr, using molecular hydrogen as a buffer gas, which is eliminated through controlled combustion with oxygen.

The established Phase resolved functional lung (PREFUL) methodology is typically employed with 1.5 T MRI, limiting its deployment with scanners with an open architecture and in developing countries where low field systems are typical. In Chapter 4, the PREFUL algorithm is adapted in a custom-built pipeline for application with low field (0.5 T) MRI, accounting for a lower SNR and imaging rate. Conventional MRI scanners limit participants to lying horizontally, therefore these investigations do not account for changes to the lung due to gravity. In Chapter 5, the PREFUL pipeline is employed with Open MRI to probe changes in the distribution of lung ventilation and perfusion in different postures. This is the first MRI study to investigate the lungs in the inverted position.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Meersmann, Thomas Pavlovskaya, Galina E.
Keywords:	Magnetic resonance imaging; Contrast-based hyperpolarised noble gases production; Free-breathing 1H-based func- tional imaging; Lung imaging
Subjects:	W Medicine and related subjects (NLM Classification) > WN Radiology. Diagnostic imaging
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Item ID:	82858
Depositing User:	Harrison, Arthur
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2025 04:40
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2025 04:40
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/82858

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