Detection of sub-nmol amounts of the antiviral drug favipiravir in 19F MRI using photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization.

In biological tissues, 19F magnetic resonance (MR) enables the non-invasive, background-free detection of 19F-containing biomarkers. However, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is usually low because biomarkers are typically present at low concentrations. Measurements at low magnetic fields further reduce the SNR. In a proof-of-principal study we applied LED-based photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) to amplify the 19F signal at 0.6 T. For the first time, 19F MR imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) of a fully biocompatible model system containing the antiviral drug favipiravir has been successfully performed. This fluorinated drug has been used to treat Ebola and COVID-19. Since the partially cyclic reaction scheme for photo-CIDNP allows for multiple data acquisitions, averaging further improved the SNR. The mean signal gain factor for 19F has been estimated to be in the order of 103. An in-plane resolution of 0.39 × 0.39 mm2 enabled the analysis of spatially varying degrees of hyperpolarization. The minimal detectable amount of favipiravir per voxel was estimated to about 500 pmol. The results show that 19F photo-CIDNP is a promising method for the non-invasive detection of suitable 19F-containing drugs and other compounds with very low levels of the substance.

A bridged loop gap resonator (BLGR) for small animal imaging by 1.5 T MRI systems.

A bridged loop gap resonator (BLGR) was developed as a transmit and receive coil for a mobile insert to be used for small animal proton imaging by 1.5 T MRI devices. The insert system has its own gradient system, radio frequency (RF) transmit and receive coil, and control and signal processing unit. The reflection S11 and transmission S21 parameters, quality factor (Q), sensitivity, signal to noise ratio (SNR), and maps of the static (B0) and RF (B1) magnetic flux densities were measured. The RF coil was developed starting from a loop gap resonator (LGR) for a balanced LGR and a shielded balanced LGR for a shielded bridged balanced LGR. The purpose of developing this device is to minimize the influence of the sample and surroundings on the RF coil parameters. The final design of the BLGR does not require retuning after a sample change. A 3D image of a mouse in formalin was acquired with a fast low angle shot (FLASH) MRI sequence. The SNR was calculated from one FLASH image. The signal for SNR calculation was acquired from a gadolinium-doped water sample and the noise from the air outside of the sample. This article verifies that the BLGR is viable for small animal nuclear magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T and is independent of sample size and material.

Atom lithography with a holographic light mask.

In atom lithography with optical masks, deposition of an atomic beam on a given substrate is controlled by a standing light-wave field. The lateral intensity distribution of the light field is transferred to the substrate with nanometer scale. We have tailored a complex pattern of this intensity distribution through diffraction of a laser beam from a hologram that is stored in a photorefractive crystal. This method can be extended to superpose 1000 or more laser beams. The method is furthermore applicable during growth processes and thus allows full 3D structuring of suitable materials with periodic and non-periodic patterns at nanometer scales.