Integrated DNP-NMR Magnet Assembly for Signal Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing magnet assemblies for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments suffer from poor sensitivity due to the weak polarization of nuclear spins, particularly in liquid state NMR measurements, as the sample experiences significant signal loss when transferred between separate DNP and NMR magnetic fields, leading to inefficient hyperpolarization and reduced sample throughput.
Innovation Solution
A magnet assembly with superconducting coils within a cryostat generates uniform magnetic fields in both a primary and secondary working volume, allowing for integrated DNP and NMR processes, and includes multiple hyperpolarization systems and a sample transport system to minimize signal decay and increase throughput by reducing the distance between DNP and NMR regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate superconducting magnets are used for DNP and NMR, then each magnet can provide optimized homogeneous magnetic field regions, but the distance between magnets causes significant signal loss during sample transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the DNP magnet and NMR magnet into a single integrated magnet assembly, where the DNP hyperpolarization region and NMR detection region share the same magnetic field source. This eliminates the sample transfer distance between separate magnets, reducing hyperpolarization decay while maintaining the required magnetic field uniformity for both DNP and NMR operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a secondary working volume in the annular space between adjacent coil pairs of the superconducting magnet assembly, allowing DNP and NMR operations to occur simultaneously in different spatial dimensions within the same magnetic field, thereby eliminating transfer time while maintaining field uniformity
2Loss of time
If the sample is transferred rapidly between separate magnets, then signal loss is reduced, but the complexity of the sample transport system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the DNP and NMR magnets into a single integrated system with a shared magnetic field source, the patent eliminates the need for complex sample transport mechanisms between separate magnets, simplifying the overall system while minimizing transfer time
3Productivity
If multiple hyperpolarization systems are added to increase throughput, then sample processing capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the annular space between coil pairs as a secondary working volume for DNP hyperpolarization, enabling multiple hyperpolarization systems to be arranged in different spatial positions around the bore. This allows parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously, increasing throughput while utilizing the three-dimensional space efficiently without excessive complexity
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
This configuration significantly reduces signal loss and enhances sample throughput by maintaining hyperpolarization during transfer and enabling simultaneous polarization of multiple samples, resulting in improved sensitivity and efficiency for NMR measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a set of superconducting coils within a cryostat, located about a bore, and arranged to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field in a primary working volume within the bore, and to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field in a secondary working volume within the coil structure
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the sample with microwaves near the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) frequency, thus causing efficient transfer of electron polarization to the nuclear spin system
Implementation Method 3
A particularly versatile and effective form of hyperpolarization is Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP)
Implementation Method 4
cooling the sample to typically ∼1.3K in a strong magnetic field (typ. 3.35T), at which temperature the electron spins are almost fully polarized
Data Source
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AI summary
A magnet assembly for use in carrying out nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on a body or sample. The assembly comprises a set of superconducting coils (12) within a cryostat, located about a bore, and arranged to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field in a primary working volume (101) within the bore, and to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field in a secondary working volume (100) within the coil structure and separate from the bore. At least part of a hyperpolarisation system intersects the at least one secondary working volume (101) so as to hold a sample to be hyperpolarised in the secondary working volume.