Magnetic Resonance Probe Head Central Tube Block Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance probe heads face challenges in achieving high sensitivity, particularly with small measurement samples, due to limitations in efficiency and fill factor caused by the ventilation gap and Dewar wall thickness, which restrict the proximity of HF resonator coils to the sample, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and longer pulse times.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a central tube block with a greater extent in the x-direction than in the y-direction, eliminating the need for a ring-shaped ventilation gap and allowing the HF resonator coils to move closer to the sample, while using planar HTS coils and a coolant guide for temperature control, enhancing the fill factor and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ring-shaped ventilation gap is provided around the measurement sample for temperature control, then the measurement sample can be tempered effectively, but the fill factor and efficiency of the HF resonator coils are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature control function from the ring-shaped ventilation gap and relocates it to a separate cooling element positioned in the x-direction. This removes the harmful ventilation gap from the measurement volume, allowing HF resonator coils to be positioned closer to the sample without compromising temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separate cooling element as an intermediary component that handles temperature control independently. This cooling element acts as a mediator between the measurement sample and the thermal environment, eliminating the need for the ventilation gap to serve dual purposes of cooling and spatial separation.
2Quantity of substance
If the HF resonator coils are positioned close to the measurement sample to improve fill factor, then efficiency increases, but temperature control of the sample becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the functional responsibilities by separating temperature control (handled by the dedicated cooling element in the x-direction) from the measurement and detection functions (handled by the HF resonator coils). This segmentation allows the coils to be optimally positioned for maximum fill factor while the cooling element independently manages thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the spatial conflict by moving temperature control functionality to a different dimension (x-direction) rather than relying on a radial ventilation gap around the sample. This dimensional shift allows the HF resonator coils to occupy the measurement volume more effectively while cooling occurs through a separate spatial pathway.
3Quantity of substance
If the Dewar wall is made thinner to increase the available volume for coils, then the fill factor improves, but the structural integrity and thermal insulation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermal insulation function from the Dewar wall and relocates it to a dedicated cooling element positioned in the x-direction. This allows the Dewar wall to be optimized for minimal thickness without compromising thermal performance, as the cooling element assumes responsibility for thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by providing targeted cooling through the cooling element at specific locations (x-direction) rather than relying on uniform thermal insulation from a thick Dewar wall. This localized approach to thermal management allows the Dewar wall to be thinner while maintaining overall thermal control effectiveness.
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 increases the fill factor and efficiency of the magnetic resonance probe head, resulting in improved signal-to-noise ratio and shorter pulse times for small measurement samples, particularly those with diameters less than 3 mm, by optimizing the coil-sample proximity and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a means with which the central tube block ensures heat flow from or to the measurement sample is arranged in the x-direction
Implementation Method 2
orthogonal high-frequency electromagnetic pulses are radiated into the sample in the x- or y-direction. This results in an interaction with the nuclear spins of the sample material
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum container in which a plurality of cryogenically coolable HF resonator coils are arranged
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4c
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A magnetic resonance probe head (40) comprising: - a vacuum vessel (43) in which several cryogenically coolable RF resonator coils (31, 32; 51-54, 61-64) are arranged, each designed as a planar coil parallel to a z-direction, wherein the entirety of the RF resonator coils (31, 32; 51-54, 61-64) has a greater extent in an x-direction (RSx) than in a y-direction (RSy), and wherein the directions x, y, z form a rectangular coordinate system; - a central tube block (33; 81; 111; 121; 171; 181) arranged between the RF resonator coils (31, 32; 51-54, 61-64), which extends in the z-direction The elongated recess (34; 112; 122) for a measuring sample (35) has a central tube block (33; 81; 111; 121; 171; 181) partially delimits the vacuum container (43), and the recess (34; 112; 122) is located outside the vacuum container (43), is characterized in that the central tube block (33; 81; 111; 121; 171;181) in the area between the RF resonator coils (31, 32; 51-54, 61-64) has a greater extent in the x-direction (ZRx) than in the y-direction (ZRy). With the probe head according to the invention, improved sensitivity can be achieved, especially with small and round samples.