Atomic magnetometer sensor array magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9167979-B2
Application number	US-26578508-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2008
Priority date	Apr 13, 2007
Publication date	Oct 27, 2015
Grant date	Oct 27, 2015

Abstract

Devices disclosed according to various embodiments use one or more arrays of atomic magnetometers to directly detection of relaxation of magnetic field induced subatomic precession within a target specimen. The disclosed devices and methods relate to application of utilization of a magnetic sensor with unique properties requiring changes in design, allowing new functions, and requiring alternative analysis methodologies. Various embodiments are also directed to methods for obtaining and processing magnetic signals. These methods may take advantage of the unique spatial arrangement of the atomic magnetometers and the capacity sensors to be used in either a scalar or a vector mode. Various embodiments have advantages over current techniques utilized for imaging of anatomical and non-anatomical structures. Such advantages may include, for example: development of a wearable, portable array, lower power consumption, potential wafer-level fabrication, the potential for development of a more rapid signal, decreased need for development of strong magnetic fields, and lower cost allowing wider availability.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A portable, wearable apparatus for obtaining signals from a specimen, comprising:
one or more magnetic field generators that apply an uniform polarizing magnetic field to polarize nuclear spins in a target anatomical region of the specimen such that a magnetic flux density of the applied magnetic field are uniform throughout the target anatomical region, wherein the one or more magnetic field generators are associated with an article of apparel such that they are portable together;
an array of optical atomic magnetometers arranged on the article of apparel, wherein the array of optical atomic magnetometers comprises vector-mode atomic magnetometers, wherein each of the array of optical magnetometers comprises a container having a chamber filled with an atomic vapor, whereby the array of optical atomic magnetometers on the article of apparel detects magnetic field vector signals from a relaxation of polarized nuclear spins in the specimen when the applied magnetic field is removed; and
one or more microprocessors for recording or processing the magnetic field vector signals to generate an anatomical map of the target anatomical region from the detected magnetic field vector signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnetic field generators produce a millitesla field.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnetic field generators produce a microtesla field.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnetic field generator encodes a magnetic field gradient in the specimen.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a radiofrequency generator to apply a radiofrequency pulse to the specimen.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including at least one sensor to measure biologically-generated magnetic signals.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein at least one sensor measures a magnetoencephalogram.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein at least one sensor measures a magnetocardiogram.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor measures signals emanating from a spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or human fetus.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor and wherein a sensor response of the at least one sensor is dynamically altered.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnetic field generators pulse a series of magnetic fields.

Assignees

• Skidmore Frank M
• Davidson Mark
• Donda Russell S
• Univ Florida

Inventors

• Skidmore Frank M
• Davidson Mark
• Donda Russell S

Classifications

• A61B5/04008

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61B5/04009 Primary

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61B2562/02

  Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements · CPC title

• A61B2562/046

  in a matrix array · CPC title

• A61B5/11

  Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)} · CPC title