SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this project is to develop an Ultra High Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imager (in-vivo NMR microscope) capable of a resolution of at least 10 microns. During Phase I, a set of gradient coils with a rise time of about 100 us and an RF probe of reduced diameter (38mm) will be developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the project. These components will be tested on the 33-cm bore NMR imaging spectrometer available at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. Imaging of appropriate phantoms will be performed and the resolution assessed. Phase II of the project involves the design and development of a complete NMR microscope. The major components (magnet, computer, software) will be obtained from outside sources, while the knowledge acquired during Phase I will help to reduce the design time. During Phase III, the NMR microscope will be offered as a finished product. At that time, the various options will be added to the system.

The goal of this project is to develop an Ultra High Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imager (in-vivo NMR microscope) capable of a resolution of at least 10 microns. The idea is to design an imaging console and a probe system which can be interfaced to any magnet without modification of the existing hardware. This includes magnets used in clinical MRI systems as well as in vertical high resolution small bore NMR spectrometers. Each system will include its own gradient coils, radio frequency coil, electronics, computer and imaging display device. Interface to an existing system will be done in less than fifteen minutes and will not require any particular skill.The low cost of the instrument will make it attractive to any laboratory o clinical department interested in in-vivo applications of high resolution NMR imaging.

Thesaurus Terms:
Biomedical Engineering, Instrumentation Clinically Oriented Biomedical Engineering, Instrumentation Not Clinically Oriented Biomedical Systems Automated Chemistry, Analytical Methods, Spectrometry, Nmr Computer Computer Printing-Graphics Computer Programming Optics, Image Processing Analysis And Display Optics, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri) Optics, MicroscopyNational Cancer Institute (NCI)