Title: Detection of magnetic resonance signals using a magnetoresistive sensor

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described wherein a micro sample of a fluidic material may be assayed without sample contamination using NMR techniques, in combination with magnetoresistive sensors. The fluidic material to be assayed is first subject to pre-polarization, in one embodiment, by passage through a magnetic field. The magnetization of the fluidic material is then subject to an encoding process, in one embodiment an rf-induced inversion by passage through an adiabatic fast-passage module. Thereafter, the changes in magnetization are detected by a pair of solid-state magnetoresistive sensors arranged in gradiometer mode. Miniaturization is afforded by the close spacing of the various modules.

Inventors:

Budker, Dmitry; Pines, Alexander; Xu, Shoujun; Hilty, Christian; Ledbetter, Micah P; Bouchard, Louis S

Issue Date:

2013-10-01

Research Org.:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1107574

Patent Number(s):

8547095

Application Number:

12/753,306

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E03 - WATER SUPPLY E03F - SEWERS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

B82Y25/00 - Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E03 - WATER SUPPLY E03F - SEWERS

E03F3/046 - {Open sewage channels}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N24/08 - by using nuclear magnetic resonance

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01R - MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES

G01R33/093 - {using multilayer structures, e.g. giant magnetoresistance sensors
G01R33/302 - {Miniaturized sample handling arrangements for sampling small quantities, e.g. flow-through microfluidic NMR chips}
G01R33/307 - {specially adapted for moving the sample relative to the MR system, e.g. spinning mechanisms, flow cells or means for positioning the sample inside a spectrometer}
G01R33/323 - {Detection of MR without the use of RF or microwaves, e.g. force-detected MR, thermally detected MR, MR detection via electrical conductivity, optically detected MR}
G01R33/36 - Electrical details, e.g. matching or coupling of the coil to the receiver
G01R33/44 - using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
G01R33/50 - based on the determination of relaxation times {, e.g. T1 measurement by IR sequences
G01R33/5602 - {by filtering or weighting based on different relaxation times within the sample, e.g. T1 weighting using an inversion pulse}
G01R33/56375 - {Intentional motion of the sample during MR, e.g. moving table imaging}

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC03-76SF00098; AC02-05CH11231

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION