Flexible Cooled NMR Probe Head Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) probe heads face challenges with noise and signal attenuation due to room temperature RF lines, leading to suboptimal signal-to-noise ratios and cumbersome handling, particularly in high-field NMR applications.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically flexible MR probe head design featuring flexible RF and cooling lines that minimize space and weight, allowing for easy installation and removal, with a separate cooling circuit for the preamplifier and the use of helium as a cooling fluid, maintaining low temperatures for both the antenna system and preamplifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rigid connecting means are used to connect the detecting device to the preamplifier housing, then thermal insulation is maintained, but the probe head becomes cumbersome and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidrigid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid connecting means with flexible connecting lines that include cooling lines and RF lines. This allows the probe head to be bent and positioned flexibly during installation and operation, dramatically improving ease of handling while maintaining functional integrity. The flexible lines can adapt to different spatial configurations without requiring complex rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible connecting lines with insulating layers that combine flexibility with thermal insulation properties. These flexible lines replace rigid connectors, enabling the probe head to be easily maneuvered and installed in various positions while still providing adequate thermal insulation for the cooled components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If room temperature RF lines are used to connect the receiver coil to the preamplifier, then installation is simplified, but noise and signal attenuation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cooled RF lines as an intermediary solution between the room temperature preamplifier and the cooled receiver coil. These RF lines are thermally connected to the cooling system, maintaining them at low temperatures to minimize thermal noise and signal attenuation. This intermediary cooled connection preserves signal integrity while still allowing for practical installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the RF lines by cooling them to cryogenic temperatures rather than using room temperature cables. This parameter change dramatically reduces the thermal noise and attenuation, improving the signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining installation feasibility through the flexible line design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the preamplifier is cooled to low temperatures, then noise is reduced and sensitivity improves, but the system complexity and cooling time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreamplifier noise performanceVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cooling system into separate cooling lines that can independently cool different components (receiver coil and preamplifier). This segmentation allows for efficient heat removal and reduces the overall cooling time required to reach optimal operating temperatures, while maintaining the noise performance benefits of cooled preamplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The flexible design enhances handling and installation efficiency, reduces unproductive standstill times of expensive magnet systems, and maintains high signal-to-noise ratios by minimizing noise and signal losses, while allowing for rapid operation and reduced cooling times.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling device which cools the antenna system and the preamplifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermally insulating means which connects the detecting device to the preamplifier housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS7501822B2Cooled NMR probe head with flexible cooled connecting conduit

Publication Date: 2009.03.10 BRUKER SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A magnetic resonance (MR) probe head comprises a detecting device with at least one antenna system which is cryogenically cooled by a cooling device, and a cooled preamplifier in a preamplifier housing which is spatially separated from the detecting device, and a thermally insulating connecting means via which the detecting device and the preamplifier housing are connected, wherein the connecting means comprises at least one cooling line for supplying and/or returning a cooling fluid, and with at least one RF line for transmitting the electric signals. The connecting means is implemented as a mechanically flexible connecting line with mechanically flexible RF lines and cooling lines disposed therein. The MR probe head is easy to handle and can be highly sensitive, wherein the detecting device can be quickly installed, removed and put into operation.