Pre-Magnetized NMR Measurement for Rapid Tomographic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI methods require long measurement times to acquire multiple tomographic images of a living body, making it difficult to quickly detect abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus that applies a static magnetic field and multiple AC currents in different directions to induce nuclear magnetic resonance, using sensitive magnetic sensors to detect magnetic fields and calculate impedance, allowing for rapid generation of tomographic images without waiting for relaxation to steady state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI observes the relaxation phenomenon until atoms return to steady state, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a static magnetic field to the measurement target before the measurement process begins, pre-magnetizing the atoms. This preliminary action eliminates the need to wait for relaxation to steady state during actual measurement, as the atoms are already in a magnetized state ready for immediate observation of nuclear magnetic resonance phenomena.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and observes the nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon itself without waiting for the relaxation process to complete. By detecting the resonance signal directly during the pre-magnetized state, the method separates the measurement of resonance from the relaxation waiting period, achieving both speed and precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple tomographic images are acquired at different positions to detect abnormalities, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases to tens of minutes or more
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-applying the static magnetic field to magnetize the entire measurement target before acquisition, the patent enables rapid sequential imaging without repeated magnetization and relaxation waiting periods. This preliminary magnetization allows multiple tomographic images to be acquired in succession at different positions while maintaining precision, significantly reducing total measurement time.
3Productivity
If a simple configuration is used for fast measurement, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The simple yet effective configuration applies a static magnetic field in advance to pre-magnetize the measurement target. This single preliminary action enables both fast measurement speed and high precision by eliminating the need for complex repeated magnetization cycles and long relaxation waiting periods, achieving rapid sequential imaging with maintained accuracy.
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 fast output of tomographic images by detecting nuclear magnetic resonance without waiting for relaxation, reducing measurement time and enabling quicker detection of abnormalities like tumors.
Implementation Method 1
a static magnetic field is applied from the outside to a living body that is a measurement target, and the living body is macroscopically magnetized. Due to this, since atoms constituting a living body experience precession
Implementation Method 2
when a pulse of an electromagnetic wave having a frequency corresponding to the Larmor frequency of this precession is radiated, resonance occurs, and the rotation speed of the precession changes (nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon)
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic field detecting element that detects a magnitude of a magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave generated due to nuclear magnetic resonance
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus including: a static magnetic field applying part that applies a static magnetic field having a constant magnitude in a first direction to a measurement target; a plurality of current applying parts applying a plurality of AC currents oriented in a plurality of directions toward a portion of the measurement target via an electrode pair; a magnetic field detecting element that detects a magnitude of a magnetic field generated from the portion of the measurement target in response to the static magnetic field having the constant magnitude in the first direction and the plurality of AC currents; a calculating part for calculating impedance of the portion of the measurement target; and an internal information output part for generating information including an internal component of the measurement target.