Images of lung function using hyperpolarized 3He.  The left image shows the distribution of gas in a single breath (ventilation) across the lung of a healthy rat.  The right image is a measure of lung oxygen content, and is derived from a time-series of 3He-MRI snapshots.  This and other images of lung function show characteristic modification in specific disease states. The ability to acquire detailed images of lung function is new and unique to hyperpolarized gas MRI.

Image Credit: Rahim Rizi, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine