NMR Hydration Assessment via Relaxation Parameter Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing hydration state and vascular volume in individuals are invasive, unreliable, and lack a universal gold standard, making it difficult to diagnose and manage hydration imbalances effectively, particularly in conditions like heart failure and dehydration.
Innovation Solution
Development of a non-invasive NMR-based system that uses signal processing algorithms to analyze hydration changes and measure relaxation parameters, allowing for the assessment of hydration state and vascular volume through NMR sensors, which correlate with clinically accepted invasive measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to assess hydration state and vascular volume, then measurement precision may be improved, but ease of operation and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical/biological measurement systems with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Instead of using invasive procedures like blood draws or catheterization to assess hydration state and vascular volume, the invention employs non-invasive NMR sensing that detects hydrogen nuclei signals from water molecules in the body, providing accurate measurements without penetrating or contacting internal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NMR sensors as an intermediary between the subject and the measurement process. These sensors detect hydrogen nuclei signals from water molecules as a mediator to infer hydration state and vascular volume, eliminating the need for direct invasive sampling while maintaining measurement accuracy through the intermediary NMR detection mechanism.
2Reliability
If current assessment methods are used, then some hydration parameters can be measured, but reliability and universality as a gold standard deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal assessment system that can measure multiple hydration parameters (hydration state, vascular volume, blood volume) using a single NMR-based methodology. This multi-functional approach allows the same NMR sensor and protocol to assess different aspects of fluid status, establishing it as a potential universal gold standard applicable across various clinical conditions and patient populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in NMR relaxation parameters (T1, T2) of hydrogen nuclei in water molecules as indicators of hydration state and vascular volume. By monitoring how these physical parameters change with varying fluid status, the system provides reliable and versatile measurements that can detect different degrees and types of hydration imbalances across diverse clinical scenarios.
3Productivity
If rapid determination of hydration state is achieved through NMR, then productivity and speed of diagnosis improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the specific signal from hydrogen nuclei in water molecules using NMR technology, separating this diagnostic information from other complex biological signals. By focusing on the unique NMR properties of water protons and using selective pulse sequences, the system rapidly identifies hydration status without being overwhelmed by the complexity of other bodily tissues and fluids.
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and non-invasive determination of hydration state and vascular volume, providing diagnostic insights into hydration imbalances and improving patient management by quantitatively assessing hydration status and vascular volume.
Implementation Method 1
assessing a hydration state of the subject by measuring a relaxation parameter of hydrogen nuclei in water in a tissue portion of the subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor
Implementation Method 2
measuring a relaxation parameter of hydrogen nuclei in water in a tissue portion of the subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state of the subject
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention features methods for detecting the hydration state or vascular volume of a subject using a device capable of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. The methods involve exposing a portion of a tissue of the subject in vivo to a magnetic field and RF pulse from the device to excite hydrogen nuclei of water within the tissue portion, and measuring a relaxation parameter of the hydrogen nuclei in the tissue portion, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state or vascular volume of the subject as a whole. The invention also features devices and computer-readable storage media for performing the methods of the invention.