Patent ID: 9207298
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method for performing quantitative analysis of the amount of a molecule in a sample or subject comprising: a) providing a magnetic resonance (“MR”) device including (i) a main magnet for providing a background magnetic field along a first direction, (ii) at least one radio-frequency (“RF”) coil, and (iii) at least one gradient coil that is configured to be controlled to define at least one region of interest; b) introducing into the MR device at least one supplemental spin reservoir (“SSR”) containing a plurality of molecules; c) adjusting the circuitry of the RF coil in order to induce electromagnetic feedback between the nuclear magnetization of at least one set of nuclei within the SSR and the RF coil to cause the system to achieve a desired relationship between τ d) introducing RF pulses into the SSR so that the magnetization of at least one set of nuclei within the SSR is rotated to greater than ninety degrees; e) analyzing a super radiant (“SR”) pulse that results from step d to determine the peaktime and width of the SR pulse; f) introducing a sample or subject to be studied into the region of interest; g) introducing RF pulses into the sample or subject and the SSR so that the magnetization of at least one set of nuclei within the SSR is rotated to the same angle as in step c); h) analyzing a SR pulse that results from step g to determine the peaktime and width of the new SR pulse; and i) subtracting the pulse obtained in step e from that in step g to obtain quantitative information as to an amount of target molecule in the sample or subject.