Solid state NMR probe
First Claim
1. An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said probe comprising:
- a probe body with a distal end;
an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and
means for conducting said second electrical signal to a processing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in vivo NMR probe is disposed at the distal end of a catheter or endoscope for obtaining NMR spectra from within a patient. The probe is constructed from a passive integrated circuit including a receiving coil and a parametric up-converter for increasing the receivied frequency of the NMR emissions. One or more coaxial cables disposed in a lumen of the catheter connect the integrated circuit probe to an external NMR processor. The external processor may also excite the coil to radiate a localized perturbation field prior to obtaining NMR emission data of an area of interest. Alternatively, the probe may be constructed from an active circuit which enables the coil to be tuned to an NMR emission frequency of interest. A closed loop refrigeration circuit utilizing lumens in the catheter or Peltier junction devices on the integrated circuit provide for temperature stability of the active devices.
174 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said probe comprising:
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a probe body with a distal end; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and means for conducting said second electrical signal to a processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said processing means including a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency said probe comprising:
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a probe body with a distal end; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and means for conducting said second electrical signal to the processing means; said converter means comprising; a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and selected frequencies; and means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means, said probe comprising:
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a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second converter means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means which includes a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency, said probe comprising:
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a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means; said second converter means comprising; - View Dependent Claims (20)
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19. a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and said selected frequencies;
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means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
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22. A system for in vivo sensing of RF energy emanating from an organism exposed to an NMR scanner comprising:
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means for receiving RF energy emanating from within an organism in response to said NMR scanner, said receiving means being dimensioned for insertion into said organism, said receiving means comprising means for generating an electrical signal having a strength and frequency related to the strength and frequency, respectively of said RF energy, the frequency of said electrical signal being greater than the frequency of said RF energy means for inserting said receiving means into an oriface in said organism and for localizing said receiving means at an area of interest within said organism, said receiving means being incorporated within said inserting means.
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29. A method for in vivo sensing of RF energy from an area of interest within an organism exposed to an NMR scanner comprising:
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providing an RF receiver dimensioned to be received within said organism for sensing the strength and frequency of said RF energy and for generating an electrical signal having a strength related to the strength of said RF energy and a frequency related to, and greater than, the frequency of said RF energy; and placing said RF receiver proximate to said area of interest.
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Specification