Adjustable NMR Magnet Field Positioning for Portable Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy devices, particularly MRI apparatuses, require expensive and large magnet arrangements to produce strong, homogeneous magnetic fields, limiting their portability and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A device with a magnet arrangement that allows modification of the magnetic probe field's spatial position, reducing the need for extensive homogeneity and strength, using a combination of magnet components like permanent magnets, superconductors, and electromagnets, and a control unit to adjust the magnet and coil fields of view independently, enabling a smaller, more flexible joint field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a strong and homogeneous magnetic field is produced over a large spatial area for MRI, then imaging quality is improved, but device cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the functions of magnetic field generation and signal detection into independent components. The magnet arrangement generates a magnetic field in a first region, while the coil arrangement detects signals in a second region that overlaps with the first region but extends beyond it. This segmentation allows the magnetic field to be concentrated where needed rather than requiring a large homogeneous field throughout the entire imaging volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a magnetic field with specific properties in a localized first region, rather than requiring uniform field quality across the entire imaging volume. The magnet arrangement is designed to produce sufficient field strength and homogeneity only in the region where nuclear spins need to be excited, allowing reduced requirements in other areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the magnet field of view and coil field of view are independently adjustable, then flexibility and portability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustability by allowing independent modification of the magnet field of view and coil field of view. The magnet arrangement can be adjusted to change the first region, and the coil arrangement can be adjusted to change the second region, enabling the overlapping volume to be dynamically optimized for different measurement scenarios without requiring a completely redesigned system.
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 approach reduces the cost and size requirements for the magnet arrangement, allowing for a portable device with a smaller joint field of view, achieving sufficient resolution without the need for gradient coils, and enabling ultrasonic-assisted NMR spectroscopy with increased specificity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet arrangement, which is configured to produce a magnetic probe field within a magnet field of view of the magnet arrangement
Implementation Method 2
a coil arrangement, which is configured to generate an electromagnetic excitation field within a coil field of view of the coil arrangement
Implementation Method 3
nuclear spins of the object material are excited by radio frequency pulses according to defined sequences. By evaluating the electromagnetic signals caused by subsequent resonances of the precessing nuclear spins
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device (1) for NMR spectroscopy comprises a magnet arrangement (2), configured to produce a magnetic probe field within a magnet field of view (4) external to the magnet arrangement (2). The device (1) comprises a coil arrangement (3), configured to generate an electromagnetic excitation field within a coil field of view (5) and a control unit (7), configured to control the coil arrangement (3). The device (1) comprises a magnet adjustment arrangement (8), configured and arranged to modify at least one parameter of the magnet arrangement (2) to change a spatial position of the magnet field of view (4).