Cryogenic Magnetic Resonance Sample Holder With Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance systems face inefficiencies in sample changing processes, particularly at cryogenic temperatures, leading to reduced throughput and inconsistent sample positioning, which affects data quality and comparability.
Innovation Solution
A sample changer apparatus with a sample holder that can move multiple samples from room temperature to cryogenic conditions, using a calibration sample to calibrate the position relative to the resonator, allowing precise sample positioning and iterative adjustment for optimal magnetic resonance signal, enabling efficient and uniform sample analysis without removing the holder from the controlled environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If samples are changed manually in cryogenic conditions, then sample analysis can be performed, but sample throughput is reduced and positioning consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder is divided into multiple sample containers, each capable of holding a separate sample. This segmentation allows multiple samples to be prepared and positioned in advance, enabling rapid sequential analysis without manual intervention for each sample change, thus improving throughput while maintaining positioning consistency through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple samples are loaded into the sample holder before entering the cryogenic environment. The sample holder with pre-loaded samples is then transferred to the resonator, allowing sequential analysis without repeated manual sample changes. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming manual operations and ensures consistent positioning through automated mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If samples are repositioned iteratively for optimal signal, then data quality improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through magnetic resonance signal monitoring during sample positioning. The automated positioning mechanism adjusts sample container positions based on signal strength feedback, iteratively optimizing the position for maximum signal quality. This automated feedback loop achieves high data quality while minimizing time consumption by eliminating manual trial-and-error positioning.
3Productivity
If multiple samples are analyzed in a single setup, then throughput improves, but maintaining uniform conditions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder is designed as a universal platform that accommodates multiple sample containers with identical geometric and material properties. This universality ensures that all samples experience the same thermal, magnetic, and mechanical conditions during analysis. The standardized design maintains uniform analysis conditions across multiple samples while enabling high throughput through sequential automated positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves sample throughput and data quality by allowing precise positioning and consistent analysis of multiple samples in a single setup, maintaining uniform conditions and reducing the time required for sample changes.
Implementation Method 1
A resonator manipulates the spins in a sample by producing a magnetic field at or near the spins' resonance frequencies
Implementation Method 2
In some cases, the resonator detects the spins based on a voltage induced by the precessing spins
Data Source
AI summary
In a general aspect, a sample holder has multiple sample containers. In some instances, the sample holder can be received into a resonator package in a primary magnetic field of a magnetic resonance system. The resonator package includes a resonator configured to interact with a sample in a sample region. The sample holder includes a first sample and a calibration sample. The position of the sample holder relative to the resonator is calibrated. After calibrating the position of the sample holder, the sample holder is translated to position the first sample in the sample region. Magnetic resonance data is acquired based on magnetic resonance signals generated by an interaction between the resonator and the first sample.