Miniature Stochastic NMR System with Active Shims
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature NMR systems are expensive, difficult to assemble, require arduous setup and calibration, and have high power consumption, limiting their use in new applications due to complexity and energy demands.
Innovation Solution
A stochastic NMR system comprising a permanent magnet, active shim, electromagnet, and processor, which applies a bias magnetic field, compensates spatial inhomogeneities, and uses stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic fields to measure spin density with reduced power consumption and simplified assembly and calibration procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional miniature NMR systems are used, then NMR measurements can be performed, but the systems are expensive, difficult to assemble, and require arduous setup and calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmit and receive functions into a single coil, eliminating the need for separate transmit and receive coils. This merging simplifies the overall system architecture, reduces the number of components that need to be assembled and calibrated, while maintaining full NMR measurement capability. The single coil performs both functions through appropriate switching, directly addressing the complexity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coil is designed to serve dual purposes: both transmitting RF pulses and receiving NMR signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized separate coils for each function, reducing system complexity and the number of calibration procedures required, while preserving complete NMR measurement functionality.
2Measurement precision
If conventional miniature NMR systems are used, then NMR measurements can be performed, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching between transmit and receive modes using a single coil, rather than continuous operation of separate transmit and receive systems. This periodic action allows the system to share the same hardware resource efficiently, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining NMR measurement capability through time-multiplexed operation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional miniature NMR systems are used, then NMR measurements can be performed, but the systems are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the transmit and receive functions into a single coil, the patent reduces the total number of components required in the system. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs by reducing part counts, assembly requirements, and calibration procedures, while maintaining full NMR measurement functionality.
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 stochastic NMR system achieves efficient spin density measurement and NMR spectroscopy with lower power consumption, simplified setup, and reduced costs, making it suitable for portable and wide-ranging applications.
Implementation Method 1
the permanent magnet applies a bias magnetic field to a sample
Implementation Method 2
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a technique to measure the intramolecular magnetic fields around atoms in molecules. NMR signals can be measured from atomic nuclei that have spin
Implementation Method 3
The active shim compensates a spatial inhomogeneity in the bias magnetic field applied to the sample by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 4
The electromagnet applies a stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic field to the sample
Implementation Method 5
Radio-frequency (rf) pulses whose frequency closely matches the Larmor frequency are used to tip the net magnetic moment away from the bias magnetic field and induce nuclear magnetic resonance
Implementation Method 6
The nuclear magnetic resonance can be detected with a detection coil, where the nuclear magnetic resonance changes the magnetic flux through the coil, inducing an oscillating voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A nuclear magnet resonance (NMR) system probes samples using a stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic field. The NMR system uses active shims to compensate for spatial inhomogeneity in the bias magnetic field applied by a small permanent magnet. The active shim, made of a flexible conductor, creates a magnetic field when current is passed through it. The magnetic field created by the active shim can compensate for a first, second or third order spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The NMR system may have an array of active shims, with each active shim compensating for a spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The array of active shims may be arranged within the NMR system so as to increase power efficiency. The NMR system can accommodate a standard NMR sample tube and can be used to measure nuclear spin density or acquire an NMR spectrum.