Precision Control of Quantum Behavior:
The Foundation of Quantum-Enhanced MRI by POLARIS

POLARIS is the first commercial application of NVision’s molecular quantum engineering. The same expertise in organic molecule design and spin control now also underlies our quantum computing technology. In POLARIS, those capabilities are used to amplify metabolic imaging agents, allowing researchers to see metabolism in real time using standard MRI.

Technical Pillars of POLARIS

The Foundation of Quantum-Enhanced MRI

1. Engineered Organic Precursors

The process begins with specially engineered organic molecules (“precursors”) designed to support efficient non-cryogenic hyperpolarization. By tailoring molecular structure at the atomic level, NVision creates precursor systems optimized for rapid and highly reproducible transfer of quantum spin order into metabolites such as pyruvate.

2. Precise Spin Control

Through Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization (PHIP), POLARIS precisely controls the transfer of quantum spin order from parahydrogen gas into metabolic tracers. Using tailored spin-control methods the system generates hyperpolarized agents in seconds, enabling standard MRI systems to visualize real-time metabolic activity such as pyruvate-to-lactate conversion.

Molecular Quantum Engineering

1. Engineered Organic Precursors

We design molecules with intrinsic quantum properties that make their signals easy to amplify. By moving the complexity into the chemical structure itself, we have eliminated the need for resource-intensive polarization hardware.

Molecular Systems Designed for Quantum Function

The precursor molecules used in POLARIS are engineered for controllable quantum behavior. Their atomic structure is specifically designed to support efficient spin interactions, polarization transfer, and highly reproducible signal amplification at room temperature.

By embedding these quantum interactions directly into the molecular system itself, NVision replaces complex hardware-heavy workflows with a fast, non-cryogenic, scalable chemistry-based approach to MRI signal amplification (“hyperpolarization”).

Quantum Spin Control

2. Precise Spin Control

POLARIS uses controlled spin-transfer processes to produce hyperpolarized metabolic imaging agents in minutes and without use of cryogenics

Step 1: Manipulate spin-state centrally

The power source of PHIP is parahydrogen, a quantum state of hydrogen (singlet state), produced off-site and provided by NVision.

Step 2: Ship to users

Parahydrogen is stored in aluminum bottles and shipped to the users. NVision's technology ensures that parahydrogen stays stable for months.

Step 3: Transfer polarization

Polarization is transferred to a natural metabolite by catalytically adding parahydrogen to the precursor.

Step 4: Purify and release

After purification, the hyperpolarized metabolite, e.g. pyruvate, is ready for injection.

POLARIS translates quantum-engineered chemistry into best-quality metabolic data

Beyond Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (d-DNP)

Maximum Performance without the Complexity

POLARIS delivers metabolic signal quality comparable to legacy d-DNP through precise molecular engineering and controlled spin transfer - without the cryogenics and long preparation times.

Data generated by:

Luca Nagel, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

1H-MRI

Coronal slice of a subcutaneous MATBIII breast cancer model (rat) surrounded by gel for B0 homogeneity.

POLARIS Lac/Pyr

Lactate/pyruvate ratio measured from 3D dynamic bSSFP after injection of PHIP pyruvate.

Room-temperature polarization in 3 minutes

d-DNP Lac/Pyr

Lactate/pyruvate ratio after injection of d-DNP pyruvate (same location, same sequence as PHIP).

1 K polarization for >1 hour

Read our paper in Advanced Science