Patent ID: 6946838

Claim:
An improvement in a magnetic resonance method for determining at least one property of multiple samples in a filling or production line, comprising: applying a magnetic field in a first direction in an interrogation zone for creating a net magnetisation within a sample located within the interrogation zone; applying an alternating magnetic field in a second direction in the interrogation zone for temporarily changing the net magnetisation of the sample located within the interrogation zone; and monitoring energy emitted by the sample as the net magnetisation of the sample returns to its original state and generating an output signal having a characteristic which is proportional to the energy emitted; characterised by: introducing multiple samples into the interrogation zone simultaneously; applying a gradient magnetic field to the interrogation zone wherein different positions within the interrogation zone are sensitive to different specific frequencies; monitoring energy emitted by the samples in the different positions and generating an output signal having a characteristic which is proportional to the energy emitted corresponding thereto in different frequency bands; and, attributing the signals to specific positions and samples, and comparing the output signal characteristics of the specific positions and samples with like data obtained from at least one similar sample to provide an indication of the corresponding property of the samples.