Methods and devices for polarized NMR samples

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods for melting a solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means in a cryostat and then melted inside the cryostat by melting means such as a laser connected by an optical fibre to the interior of the cryostat.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 062,882, filed Feb. 22, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 415,917, which was the National Stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT / EP01 / 12737, filed Nov. 2, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 256,974, filed Jan. 5, 2001. All of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to devices and methods for melting solid polarised samples while retaining a high level of polarisation. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] The present invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, particularly to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analytical high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. MRI is a diagnostic technique that has become particularly attractive to physicians as it is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In one method and device in accordance with the present invention a polarising apparatus is provided with means for melting a sample polarised by the polarising apparatus, e.g. the solid polarised sample is melted while inside the device in which it was polarised. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polarising chamber of the polarising unit and the melting chamber are combined in a single chamber. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the polarising and melting chamber is combined with a NMR spectrometer and / or NMR imager so that the melted polarised sample may be analysed in the same device that it was melted in. In accordance with the present invention, polarisation may be achieved by, amongst others, the use of a polarising agent, e.g. a compound comprising paramagnetic organic free radicals. The NMR data obtained by the use of devices and methods in accordance with the present invention may be NMR imaging data and or NMR spectroscopy data.

Problems solved by technology

MRI and NMR spectroscopy lack sensitivity due to the normally very low polarisation of the nuclear spins of the samples used.

A problem exists in. that the polarised solid sample has to be brought into solution and transferred into the NMR magnet with a minimal loss of polarisation.

However this method has the disadvantage that as the sample is moved manually it is difficult to get reproducible results.

This is because the polarisation is affected by the speed and smoothness of the lifting of the polarised sample out of the cryostat and it is very difficult for different operators to ensure that they lift the polarised sample at the same speed and in a fluid movement.

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