Developing Optimal Parameters for Hyperpolarized Noble Gas and Inert Fluorinated Gas MRI of Lung Disorders

This is an interventional diagnostic trial for Lung Transplant Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Is either:

  1. A healthy volunteer (i.e.: someone not diagnosed with a lung disorder written below; this may include smokers who have not been diagnosed with a lung disorder) or
  2. Has been diagnosed with one of the following respiratory disorders: lung transplants, lung resection, lung cancer, asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, mesothelioma, asbestosis, pulmonary embolism, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, seasonal allergies, pneumonia, cold virus, lung infection, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary dysplasia, obstructive sleep apnea
• Able to provide informed consent

• Able to hold their breath for imaging:

  1. Healthy volunteers enrolled in this study must be able to hold their breath for 25 seconds
  2. Lung disorder participants must be able to hold their breath for 15 seconds

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have contraindication to MR imaging (i.e. ferrous implants, cardiac pacemakers) - determined by MR screening prior to scans.
• Have a history of claustrophobia.
• Female exclusion only: are or may be pregnant.
• Requires an oxygen mask and cannot use a nasal cannula.
• Blood oxygen saturation is below 92% (measured at rest in a sitting position, and with an O2 nasal cannula if the participant normally uses one).
• Has had an acute respiratory infection in the past 10 days.
• Is a student currently enrolled in a course at Lakehead University where the Principal Investigator (PI) is the instructor.
• Is a student currently enrolled in a degree program at Lakehead University where the PI is their direct thesis supervisor.
• Is currently an employee of the PI at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) and/or Lakehead University.