U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Icon_funbox Did You Know...

...During the Civil War, the Confederacy established its own Patent Office which issued 266 patents, a third of which concerned implements of war.

Newsletter  PatentStorm News

Make the Most of PatentStorm

See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.

Stay on top of the latest patents by subscribing to an RSS feed.

Got questions? Ask a Patent Expert!

Registered users: Manage your profile, comments and alerts.

 

US Patent 7053610 - Squid detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

US Patent Issued on May 30, 2006
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject November 22, 2024Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
loading...


View Patent Images (PDF)
(Registered users only)

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Other References

  • de Souza et al: J. Braz. Chem. Soc vol. 10, No. 4, 307-312 (1999).
  • Greenberg, “Application of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,” Review of Modern Physics, vol. 70 (No. 1), p. 175-222, (Jan. 1998).
  • Schlenga et al., “High-Tc SQUIDs for Low-Field NMR and MRI of Room Temperature Samples,” IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 9 (No. 2), p. 4424-4427, (Jun. 1999).
  • McDermott et al., “Liquid-State NMR and Scalar Couplings in Microtesla Magnetic Fields,” SCIENCE (www.sciencemag.org), vol. 295, p. 2247-2249, (Mar. 22, 2002).
  • Goedecke et al., “NMR in the Earth's Field: Development of an Experimental Setup for in vivo Analysis of Body Fluids and Soft Tissue,,” Z. Med. Phys., vol. 9 (No. 2), p. 130-138, (1999).
  • Trabesinger et al., “Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Microtesla Fields,,” Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med., No. 11, p. 752, (Jul. 10, 2003).
  • Seton et al., “A 4.2 K Receiver Coil and SQUID Amplifier Used to Improve the SNR of Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Images of the Human Arm,” Measurement Science and Technology, IOP Publishing, vol. 8 (No. 2), p. 198-207, (Feb. 1997).
  • 2G Enterprises Online Product Brochure (http://www.2genterprises.com/srm760.html), “Model 2G760 Superconducting Rock Magnetometer,” p. 1.
  • 2G Enterprises Data Sheet (http://www.2genterprises.com/srm755.html), “2G Enterprises 755 Superconducting Rock Magnetometer,” p. 1-2.
  • 2G Enterprises Online Product Data Sheet (http://www.2genterprises.com/srm.html), “2G Enterprises DC SQUID magnetic field sensors,” p. 1.
  • 2G Enterprises Online Data Sheet (http://www.2genterprises.com/srm581.html), “2G Enterprises Model 581 SQUID System,” p. 1-2.
  • A. Bloom et al., “Measurement of Nuclear Induction Relaxation Times in Weak Magnetic Fields,” Phys. Rev. vol. 93, p. 941 (1954).
  • A. Macovski et al., “Novel approaches to low cost MRI,” Magn. Reson. Med., vol. 30 (No. 2), p. 221-230, (1993).
  • Aviva Goldman, Scientists Edge Closer to Producing Portable Medical Imaging Machine, The Daily Californian, (Apr. 4, 2002).
  • B.J. Roth, N.G. Sepulveda and J.P. Wikswo Jr., “Using a magnetometer to image a two-dimensional current distribution,” J. Appl. Phys., vol. 65 (No. 1), p. 361-372, (Jan. 1, 1999).
  • Dinh M. Tonthat and John Clarke, “Direct current superconducting quantum interference device spectrometer for pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear quadrupole resonance at frequencies up to 5 MHz,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 67 (No. 8), p. 2890-2893, (1996).
  • Dinh M. Tonthat, M. Zeigeweid, Y.Q. Song, E.J. Munson, S. Appelt, A. Pines,, and John Clarke, “SQUID Detected NMR of Laser-Polarized Xenon at 4.2K and at Frequencies Down to 200 Hz,” Chem. Phys. Lett., p. 245-249, (Jun. 27, 1997).
  • E. Dantsker, S. Tanaka, J. Clarke, “High-Tc SQUIDs with slots or holes: low l/f noise in ambient magnetic fields,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 70 (No. 15), p. 2037-2039, (Apr. 14, 1997).
  • G. Bene, “In situ identification of human physiological fluids by nuclear magnetism in the Earth's field,” Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B289, pp. 501-501, 1980.
  • G. Bene, “Nuclear Magnetism of Liquid Systems in the Earth Field Range,” Physics Reports, vol. 58, No. 4, 1980, pp. 213-267, North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • G. Planinsic, J. Stepisnik, and M. Kos, “Relaxation-Time Measurement and Imaging in the Earth's Magnetic Field,” Journal of Magnetic Resonance, Series A, p. 170-174, (1994).
  • Goedecke et al., “NMR in the Earth's Field: Development of an Experimental Setup for in vivo Analysis of Body Fluids and Soft Tissue,” Z. Med. Phys., vol. 9 (No. 2), p. 130-138, (1999).
  • H. Mehier, et al. “Imagierie par Resonance Magnetique Nucleaireen Champ Tres Faible,” J. Biophys. Biomec., p. 198, 1985.
  • H.C. Seton et al., “A 4.2 K receiver coil and SQUID amplifier used to improve the SNR flow of low-field magnetic resonance images of the human arm,” Meas. Sci. Technol., vol. 8, p. 198-207, (1997).
  • http://www.gps.caltech.edu/tempfiles/magneticmicroscopy/,.“Supplementary images for science report: A low temperature transfer of ALH84001 from Mars to Earth,” p. 1-9.
  • J. Stepisnik, “Feasibility of NMR Imaging in Earth Field Range,” Proceedings of XXII Congress Ampere, p. 528-529, 1984.
  • J. Stepisnik, “NMR Imaging in the Earth's Magnetic Field,” Magn. Reson. Med., p. 386-391, (1990).
  • J. Stepisnik, et al. “NMR Imaging by Earth's Magnetic Field,” Abstracts of 7th specialized colloque Ampere, p. 194, 1985.
  • J. Vrba, et al. “Whole Cortex, 64 Channel SQUID Biomagnetometer System,” IEEE Transactions Applied Superconductivity, 2, vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1878-1888 Mar. 1993.
  • J. R. Kirtley et al., “Variable sample temperature scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscope,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 74 (No. 26), p. 4011-4013, (Jun. 28, 1999).
  • James P. Yesinowski, Michael L. Buess, Allen N. Garroway, Marcia Ziegeweid, and Alexander Pines, “Detection of 14N and 35C1 in Cocaine Base and Hydrochloride Using NQR, NMR, and SQUID Techniques,” Analytical Chemistry, vol. 67 (No. 13), p. 2256-2263, (Jul. 1, 1995).
  • K.A. Kouznetsov, J. Borgmann, J. Clarke, “High Tc superconducting asymmetric gradiometer for biomagnetic applications,” Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 71 (No. 7), p. 2873-2881, (Jul. 3, 2003).
  • Klaus Schlenga, Robert F. McDermott, John Clarke, Ricardo E. De Souza, Annjoe Wong-Foy, and Alex Pines, “High Tc SQUIDs for low-field NMR and MRI of Room Temperature Samples,” IEEE Trans. on Appl. Supercond., p. 4424, (Dec. 8, 2003).
  • L. Friedman, et al. “Direct detection of low-frequency NMR using a de SQUID,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 410-413, Mar. 1986.
  • K. Schlenga, et al., “Low-field magnetic resonance imaging with a high-Tc dc superconducting quantum interference device,” Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 75 (No. 23), p. 3695-3697, (Dec. 6, 1990).
  • K. Schlenga, R. McDermott, John Clarke, R. E. De Souza, A. Wong-Foy, and A. Pines, “Low-field magnetic resonance imaging with a high-Tc de superconducting quantum interference device,” Appl. Phys. Letters, vol. 75 (No. 23), p. 3695-3697, (Dec. 6, 1999).
  • Living State Physics Home Page, www.vanderbilt.edu/lsp, p. 1-2.
  • M. Augustine, A. Wong-Foy, D. Tonthat, J.L. Yarger, M. Tomaselli, J. Clarke, A. Pines, “Low Field SQUID Detected MRI of Polarized Noble Gases,” Appl. Phys. Letts., vol. 72 (No. 15), p. 1908-1910, (Apr. 13, 1998).
  • M. Freeman, et al. “Low-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance with a de SQUID amplifier,” Applied Phys. Letter., vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 300-302, Jan. 1986.
  • M. Muck and J. Clarke, “Flux-Bias Stabilization Scheme for a Radio-Frequency Amplifier Based on a SQUID,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 72 (No. 9), p. 3691-3693, (Sep. 3, 2001).
  • M. Muck and J Clarke, “The superconducting quantum interference device microstrip amplifier: Computer models,” J. Appl. Phys., vol. 88 (No. 11), p. 6910-6918, (Dec. 1, 2000).
  • M. Muck, J.B. Kycia and J. Clarke, “Superconducting Quantum Interference Device as a Near-Quantum-Limited Amplifier at 0.5 GHz,” Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 78 (No. 7), p. 967-969, (Feb. 12, 2001).
  • M. Muck, M.O. Andre, J. Clarke, J. Gail, C. Heiden, Microstrip superconducting quantum interference device radio-frequency amplifier: Tuning and cascading, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 75 (No. 22), p. 3545-3547, (Nov. 29, 1999).
  • M. Muck, M.O. Andre, J. Clarke, J. Gail, C. Heiden, “Radio-frequency amplifier based on a niobium dc superconducting quantum interference device with microstrip input coupling,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 75 (No. 22), p. 2885-2887, (Jun. 1, 1998).
  • M. Muck, M.O. Andre, J. Clarke, J. Gail, C. Heiden, “Radio-frequency amplifier with tenth-kelvin noise temperature based on a microstrip direct current superconducting quantum interference device,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 75 (No. 5), p. 698-700, (Aug. 2, 1999).
  • M. Packard, et al. “Free Nuclear Induction in the Earth's Magnetic Field,” Phys. Rev., vol. 93, p. 941, 1954.
  • M. Ziegeweid, U. Werner, B. Black, and A. Pines, “Squid-NQR of 14N,” NQI Newsletter, vol. 1 (No. 3), p. 24-25, (Mar. 4, 1994).
  • M.P. Augustine, A. Wong-Foy, J.L. Yarger, M. Tomaselli, A. Pines, D.M. Tonthat, J. Clarke, “Low field magnetic resonance images of polarized noble gases obtained with a dc superconducting quantum interference device,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 72 (No. 15), p. 1908-1910, (Apr. 14, 1998).
  • M.P. Augustine, D.M. Tonthat, J. Clarke, “SQUID detected NMR and NQR,” Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, vol. 11 (No. 1-2), p. 139-156, (Dec. 9, 1998).
  • M.S. Chawla, “In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Vascular Imaging Using Laser-Polarized 3Hc Microbubbles,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, USA (US), p. 10832-35, (Sep. 1, 1998).
  • Michael Muck and John Clarke. “Harmonic Distortion and Intermodulation Products in the Microstrip Amplifier Based on a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID),” Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 78 (No. 23), p. 3666-3668, (Jun. 4, 2001).
  • Paul Callaghan, “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance delights continue,” Physics World, (Apr. 1, 2002).
  • R. McDermott, A.H. Trabesinger, M. Mueck, E.L. Hahn, A. Pines, J. Clarke, “Liquid-State NMR and Scalar Couplings in Microtesla Magnetic Fields,” Science, vol. 295, p. 2247-2249, (Mar. 22, 2002).
  • R.E. De Souza, K. Schlenga, A. Wong-Foy, R. McDermott, A. Pines and John Clarke, “NMR and MRI obtained with high transition temperature DC SQUIDs,” J. Braz. Chem. Soc., vol. 10 (No. 4), p. 307-312, (Jan. 3, 1999).
  • Robert McDermott, Andreas H. Trabesinger, Michael Mueck, Erwin L. Hahn, Alexander Pines and John Clarke, “Liquid State NMR and Scalar Couplings in Microtesia Magnetic Fields,” Science, p. 2247 (Mar. 22, 2002).
  • Robert F. Service, “Whisper of Magnetism Tells Molecules Apart,” Science, p. 2195, (Mar. 22, 2002).
  • Robert Francis McDermott, “SQUID-Detected NMR and MRI in Microtesla Magnetic Fields,” Doctoral Dissertation in Physics, University of California, Berkeley (Berkelay, CA), p. 1-138, (Dec. 1, 2002).
  • S. Kumar, B.D. Thorson, and W.F. Avrin, “Broadband SQUID NMR with Room-Temperature Samples,” Journal of Magnetic Resonance, Series B, p. 252-259, (1995).
  • S. Kumar, R. Matthews, S.G. Haupt, and D.K. Lathrop, “Nuclear magnetic resonance using a high temperature superconducting quantum interference device,” Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 70 (No. 8), p. 1037-1039 (Feb. 24, 1997).
  • Salisbury, David F., “Analysis of Martian meteorite using unique magnetic microscope supports claim that meteorites could have carried life from Mars to Earth,” Vanderbilt University news release (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News), p. 1-8, (Oct. 26, 2000).
  • Salisbury, David F., “Anatomy of Ultrahigh Resolution Scanning SQUID Microscope,” Exploration, Vanderbilt University, online research journal (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News&Features), p. 1-2, (Oct. 26, 2000).
  • Schlenga, et al., “High-Tc SQUIDs for Low-Field NMR and MRI of Room Temperature Samples,” IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 9 (No. 2), p. 4424-4427, (Jun. 1999).
  • Thierry Guiberteau and Daniel Grucker, “Dynamic nuclear polarization at very low magnetic fields,” Phys. Med. Biol., p. 1887-1892, (1998).
  • Trabesinger et al., “Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Microtesla Fields,” Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med., No. 11, p. 752, (Jul. 10, 2003).
  • Ulrike Werner-Zwanziger, Marcia Ziegeweid, Bruce Black, and Alexander Pines, “Nitrogen-14Squid NQR of L-Ala-L-His and of Serine,” Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung, p. 1188-1192, (Aug. 2, 1994).
  • W. Bergmann, “Proposal for an Improvement of NMR-Imaging by Low-Temperature-SQUID-Detection Towards Molecular Kinetic Measurements Localized to a Small Sub-Region of the Sample,” Proc. 3rd Int Workshop Biomagnetism, Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin-New York, p. 535, 1981.
  • W.G. Jenks, S.S.H. Sadeghi and J.P. Wikswo Jr., “Review Article: SQUIDS for nondestructive evaluation,” J. Phys. D.: Appl. Phys., vol. 30, p. 293-323, (1997).
  • Wenjin Shao et al., “Low readout field magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized xenon and water in a single system,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 80 (No. 11), p. 2032-2034, (Mar. 18, 2002).
  • Y.R. Chemla, H.L. Grossman, Y. Poon, R. McDermott, R. Stevens, M.D. Alper, and J. Clarke, “Ultrasensitive magnetic biosensor for homogeneous immunoassay,” PNAS, vol. 97 (No. 26), p. 14268-72, (Dec. 19, 2000).

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 10995765 filed on 11/22/2004

US Classes:

324/300, PARTICLE PRECESSION RESONANCE324/306, Determine fluid flow rate324/201, Susceptibility324/248, Superconductive magnetometers324/239, Induced voltage-type sensor424/9.3Magnetic imaging agent (e.g., NMR, MRI, MRS, etc.)

Field of Search

324/300, PARTICLE PRECESSION RESONANCE324/306, Determine fluid flow rate324/307, Using a nuclear resonance spectrometer system324/309, To obtain localized resonance within a sample324/318, Spectrometer components324/322, Electronic circuit elements324/248, Superconductive magnetometers324/239, Induced voltage-type sensor324/319, Polarizing field magnet600/410, Magnetic resonance imaging or spectroscopy600/421, Including any system component contacting (internal or external) or conforming to body or body part600/422Coil

Examiners

Primary: Shrivastav, Brij B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

3439260, 4390840, Zeugmatography process
Issued on: 06/28/1983
Inventor: Ganssen ,   et al.
4573015, Method of measuring internal information from a target by using nuclear magnetic resonance
Issued on: 02/25/1986
Inventor: Abe ,   et al.
4588947, Integrated miniature DC SQUID susceptometer for measuring properties of very small samples
Issued on: 05/13/1986
Inventor: Ketchen
4851777, Reduced noise NMR localization system
Issued on: 07/25/1989
Inventor: Macovski
4864237, Measuring device having a squid magnetometer with a modulator for measuring magnetic fields of extremely low frequency
Issued on: 09/05/1989
Inventor: Hoenig
4906931, Apparatus and method for the examination of properties of an object
Issued on: 03/06/1990
Inventor: Sepponen
4987368, Nuclear magnetism logging tool using high-temperature superconducting squid detectors
Issued on: 01/22/1991
Inventor: Vinegar
5057776, Pulsed field MRI system with non-resonant excitation
Issued on: 10/15/1991
Inventor: Macovski
5208533, NMR machine with low field and dynamic polarization
Issued on: 05/04/1993
Inventor: Le Roux
5254950, DC superconducting quantum interference device usable in nuclear quadrupole resonance and zero field nuclear magnetic spectrometers
Issued on: 10/19/1993
Inventor: Fan, et al.
5300887, Pulsed field MRI system with spatial selection
Issued on: 04/05/1994
Inventor: Macovski
5343147, Method and apparatus for using stochastic excitation and a superconducting quantum interference device (SAUID) to perform wideband frequency response measurements
Issued on: 08/30/1994
Inventor: Sager, et al.
5557199, Magnetic resonance monitor
Issued on: 09/17/1996
Inventor: Bowman, et al.
5600243, Magnetically shielded magnetic sensor with squid and ground plane
Issued on: 02/04/1997
Inventor: Colclough
5835995, Localized pulsed superconductive MRI system
Issued on: 11/10/1998
Inventor: Macovski, et al.
6023161, Low-noise SQUID
Issued on: 02/08/2000
Inventor: Dantsker, et al.
6031373, Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging process and device
Issued on: 02/29/2000
Inventor: Szeles, et al.
6159444NMR/MRI with hyperpolarized gas and high Tc SQUID
Issued on: 12/12/2000
Inventor: Schlenga, et al.

Foreign Patent References

  • WO 96/08234 WO 03/01/1996
  • WO 00/25828 WO 05/01/2000
  • WO 97/37239 WO 05/01/2000
  • WO 03/067267 WO 08/01/2003

International Class

G01V 3/00

Comments

No comments for this page
 
 
Forgot password?
Register here