Hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe MRI can non-invasively quantify lung microstructure through measuring the gas-phase apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), providing insights into disease pathophysiology—e.g., emphysema severity. To maximize the utility of this method, we developed an analytical model, based on HP-specific Bloch equations and error propagation, to optimize ADC measurements in terms of acquisition parameters (b-value, flip angle, phase encodes, etc.) and the ADC itself and validated this model via Monte Carlo and phantom studies. Finally, a lower bound on the expected 129Xe ADC was obtained by measuring ADC as a function of age in human subjects as young as six years.
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