Molecular Diffusion in NMR Microscopy

The signal-to-noise ratio and the T₂ contrast in ¹H NMR microscopy are strongly affected by self-diffusion effects. Here, we investigate the free diffusion of water within imaging gradients. As a result we obtain an apparent relaxation time T₂ which in NMR microscopy is at least one order of magnitude smaller than the true T₂ value of water in the object. This apparent T₂ relaxation is considerably reduced by improving spatial resolution. We conclude that quantitative true T₂ values cannot be calculated from series of images with increasing echo time. Furthermore, from the knowledge of the apparent T₂, an optimum short echo time can be found in order to maximize signal-to-noise ratio. Our theoretical findings are confirmed by phantom experiments at 11.75 T field strength.     

Quantitative T2 Imaging of Plant Tissues By Means Of Multi-Echo MRI Microscopy

A method for quantitative T₂ imaging is presented which covers the large range of T₂ values in plants (5 to 2000 ms) simultaneously. The transverse relaxation is characterized by phase-sensitive measurement of many echo images in a multi-echo magnetic resonance imaging sequence. Up to 1000 signal-containing echo images can be measured with an inter-echo time of 2.5 ms at 0.47 T. Separate images of water density and of T₂ are obtained. Results on test samples, on the cherry tomato and on the stem of giant hogweed are presented. The effects of field strength, spatial resolution and echo time on the observed T₂ values is discussed. The combination of a relatively low magnetic field strength, short echo time and medium pixel resolution results in excellent T₂ contrast and in images hardly affected by susceptibility artifacts. The characterization of transverse relaxation by multi-echo image acquisition opens a new route for studies of water balance in plants.     

Relaxation Model and Mapping of Magnetic Field Gradients in MRI

The purpose of the work is development of algorithms for separate mapping of T ₂ relaxation time and gradients, using gradient recalled echo (GRE) sequence. Application of three-dimensional (3D) model of gradients and their volumetric averaging within a voxel lead to analytical model of relaxation function, which is consistent with experimental data for both regular macroscopic and randomized micro- and mesoscopic gradients. The model is verified by fitting into experimental data obtained on specially made phantoms. Verification of algorithms is completed by comparing gradient maps obtained on specially made cylindrical phantoms with theoretical maps of their exact 3D electro-dynamic solutions. Analytical model of relaxation function proved to be in good agreement with experimental relaxation curves. On the basis of this model, fast and unambiguous fittingless algorithms were developed. Gradient maps measured on special cylindrical phantoms are in good qualitative agreement with theory. 3D statistical model and fittingless algorithms provide the basis for separating the GRE signal into two meaningful parameters—T ₂ and gradients, thus doubling information from magnetic resonance imaging.     

Cerebral ischemic injury model of rat demonstrated withT 2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

A photochemical reaction model of focal cerebral ischemic injury of rat was demonstrated by means of enhancedT ₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The cerebral ischemia model was made using vein injection of rose bengal and irradiation by a beam of a cw laser with the wave-length of 514 nm. The ischemic injury region in rat brain can be found clearly in theT ₂-weighted magnetic resonance images in one hour, this time was calculated from the beginning of the laser irradiation to the end of the NMR data acquisition. It suggests thatT ₂-weighted imaging can find cerebral ischemia earlier than several hours after the onset of ischemia given in other papers. It also confirms that theT ₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging approach should be of great potential to be applied in studying the cerebral ischemia.     

Parametric multiecho proton spectroscopic imaging: Application to the rat brain in vivo

A parametric multiecho variant of proton spectroscopic imaging (SI) is presented using a multiecho SI sequence with uniform phase-encoding of all echoes within each echo train. The acquisition of SI data sets at different echo times (TE) increases the amount of information obtained within the same total measuring time as in standard SI measurements. The gain in information can be used: (a) to choose the most appropriate TE for each metabolite signal with respect to T₂, spin coupling, or problems caused by peak overlap; (b) to measure the relaxation time T₂ of metabolite signals with high spatial resolution; or (c) to improve the signal-to-noise ratio for metabolite signals with long T₂ values by adding spectra calculated from consecutive echoes. The method was tested in vivo on healthy rat brain and applied to study metabolic changes in rat brain lesions.     

Investigation of the correlation between internal gradients and dephasing effect in inhomogeneous field

Internal magnetic gradient plays a significant role in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements of fluid saturated porous media. The quantitative characterization and application of this physical phenomenon could effectively improve the accuracy of NMR measurements and interpretations. In this paper, by using the equivalent magnetic dipole method, the three-dimensional distribution of internal induced magnetic field and its gradients in the randomly packed water saturated glass beads are quantitatively characterized. By simulating the diffusive motion of water molecules in porous media with random walk method, the computational dephasing effects equation related to internal gradients is deduced. Thereafter, the echo amplitudes are obtained and the corresponding T ₂-G spectrum is also inverted. For the sake of verifying the simulation results, an experiment is carried out using the Halbach core analyzing system (B ₀=0.18 T, G=2.3 T/m) to detect the induced internal field and gradients. The simulation results indicate the equivalent internal gradient is a distribution of 0.12–0.3 T/m, which matched well with the experimental results.     

A New Approach of Two-Dimensional the NMR Relaxation Measurement in Flowing Fluid

Driven-equilibrium fast saturation recovery (DEFSR), as a new method for two-dimensional (2-D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurement based on pulse sequence in flowing fluid, is proposed. The two-dimensional functional relationship between the ratio of transverse relaxation time to longitudinal relaxation time of fluid (T ₁/T ₂) and T ₁ distribution is obtained by means of DEFSR with only two one-dimensional measurements. The rapid measurement of relaxation characteristics for flowing fluid is achieved. A set of the down-hole NMR fluid analysis system is independently designed and developed for the fluid measurement. The accuracy and practicability of DEFSR are demonstrated.     

NMR in well logging and hydrocarbon exploration

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become a versatile tool for the evaluation of underground hydrocarbon reservoirs. Formation attributes such as rock porosity and rock pore size distributions, as well as the relative concentrations of water, oil and gas, can be inferred from subsurface NMR. The hydrogen NMR signal encodes porosity as amplitude, pore sizes as relaxation times and fluid properties as a mixture of relaxation and diffusion rates. The paper describes the basic operating principles for NMR on cable (wireline), NMR on a drill string (logging-while-drilling) and NMR for downhole fluid sampling. The geometry of the borehole requires a magnet that projects its field into the surrounding rock, implying a grossly inhomogeneous field distribution. Experience shows that even under these circumstances, saturation-recovery and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequences can work well and yield meaningfulT ₁ andT ₂ information.     

Basic concepts for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The basic concepts necessary to understand the physical basis of NMR imaging are presented in this didactic article. It is intended as a starting point for the radiologist or medical physicist who is addressing the topic of NMR for the first time. The basis of the NMR phenomena is described with introduction of the concepts of magnetic moment, magnetic fields, magnetic resonance, net magnetic moment of a sample, NMR excitation and NMR emission. The equipment necessary to observe these NMR properties of matter is summarized as well as the procedures for basic pulsed NMR experiments. The physical concepts for spatial localization of NMR emissions are introduced with physical analogies to stringed musical instruments. Several alternative imaging modalities are compared with greatest emphasis on the inversion recovery technique which yields images weighted by tissue T₁ values. The six subsystems of an NMR imaging device (primary magnet, computer, radio equipment, magnetic gradient, data storage and display subsystems) are described in an overview fashion. The paper is followed by a series of study questions to test the reader's comprehension of basic NMR imaging concepts.     

Magnetic properties of Heisenberg triangular antiferromagnet V15 cluster studied by NMR

The magnetic properties of an s?=?1/2 Heisenberg triangular antiferromagnet V15 have been studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at very low temperature down to 100 mK using a He³-He⁴ dilution refrigerator. In total spin S _T?=?3/2 ground state above 2.7 Tesla, proton spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T₁) shows thermally activated behavior as a function of temperature. On the other hand, a temperature independent behavior of 1/T₁ at very low temperatures is observed in frustrated S _T?=?1/2 ground state below 2.7 Tesla. Possible origins for the peculiar behavior of 1/T₁ will be discussed in terms of magnetic fluctuations due to spin frustration.     

Estimating Spatial Resolution of In Vivo MR Images Using Spatial Modulation of Magnetization

Spatial Modulation of Magnetization is shown to provide a means of estimating perceived spatial resolution directly in vivo. On the first magnetic resonance system tested, resolution in conventional spin echo images was found to be stability limited in the phase encoding direction and voxel limited (via the Nyquist sampling theorem) in the frequency encoding direction both in vitro and in vivo. As the voxel size approaches half the stripe separation, fringes of resolved and unresolved stripes are formed across the image. This phenomenon is explained and described mathematically. On a second magnetic resonance scanner, resolution in the phase encoding direction of fast spin echo images with centrically ordered phase encoding is shown to be voxel limited in substances with long T₂, with poorer resolution in substances with short T₂. Resolution in fast spin echo images with linearly ordered phase encoding was shown to be voxel limited in the phase encoding direction.     

Reservoir Pore Structure Classification Technology of Carbonate Rock Based on NMR T 2 Spectrum Decomposition

The carbonate reservoir has a number of properties such as multi-type pore space, strong heterogeneity, and complex pore structure, which make the classification of reservoir pore structure extremely difficult. According to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T ₂ spectrum characteristics of carbonate rock, an automatic pore structure classification and discrimination method based on the T ₂ spectrum decomposition is proposed. The objective function is constructed based on the multi-variate Gaussian distribution properties of the NMR T ₂ spectrum. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to solve the objective function and get the initial values and then the generalized reduced gradient algorithm was proposed for solving the objective function, which ensured the stability and convergence of the solution. Based on the featured parameters of the Gaussian function such as normalized weights, spectrum peaks and standard deviations, the combinatory spectrum parameters (by multiplying peak value and normalized weight for every peak) are constructed. According to the principle of fuzzy clustering, the carbonate rock pore structure is classified automatically and the discrimination function of each pore structure type is obtained using Fisher discrimination analysis. The classification results were analyzed with the corresponding casting thin section and scanning electron microscopy. The study shows that the type of the pore structure based on the NMR T ₂ spectrum decomposition is strongly consistent with other methods, which provides a good basis for the quantitative characterization of the carbonate rock reservoir pore space and lays a foundation of the carbonate rock reservoir classification based on NMR logging.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance diagnosis of an anaplastic astrocytoma

A patient presented with an 8-month history of a progressive left homonymous visual field deficit, left hemiparesis, and a left thalamocortical sensory deficit that was not detectable by repeated conventional neurodiagnostic evaluations. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging revealed a right parietal lesion characterized by a prolonged T₂ (spin-spin relaxation time). At surgery, the mass proved to be an anaplastic astrocytoma. NMR appears to be more sensitive than x-ray computerized tomography scanning in some patients with malignant gliomas and offers the clinician an additional probe with which to evaluate these patients.     

On the measurement of multi-component T2 relaxation in cartilage by MR spectroscopy and imaging

The multicomponent T₂ relaxation in bovine nasal cartilage (BNC) was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence and microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI) method using a CPMG-SE imaging sequence. All experimental data were analyzed by the non-negative least square (NNLS) procedure. Only one T₂ component was found in BNC by both experimental methods (about 113 and 170 ms before and after being enzymatically digested by trypsin). Several experimental and specimen-related factors were investigated in this study, and it was found that some of them could produce artificial multi-component T₂, including the use of the standard MSME imaging sequence at certain imaging gradients.     

Nuclear magnetic relaxation,correlation time spectrum,and molecular dynamics in a linear polymer

The pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method at a proton frequency of 25 MHz at temperatures of 22–160°C is used to detect the transverse magnetization decay in polyisoprene rubbers with various molecular masses, to determine the NMR damping time T ₂, and to measure spin-lattice relaxation time T ₁ and time T _2eff of damping of solid-echo signals under the action of a sequence of MW-4 pulses modified by introducing 180° pulses. The dispersion dependences of T _2eff obtained for each temperature are combined into one using the temperature-frequency equivalence principle. On the basis of the combined dispersion dependence of T _2eff and the data on T ₂ and T ₁, the correlation time spectrum of molecular movements is constructed. Analysis of the shape of this spectrum shows that the dynamics of polymer molecules can be described in the first approximation by the Doi-Edwards tube-reptation model.     

A Portable NMR Sensor Used for Assessing the Aging Status of Silicone Rubber Insulator

A portable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor with an adjustable ‘clamp’ structure is constructed for the noninvasive measurement of the aging status of silicone rubber insulators used in the high-voltage power transmission. The Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill sequence was employed to record the ¹H NMR transverse relaxation curves of silicone rubber insulators with different service times. The decay curves were fitted to mono-exponential and bi-exponential functions. Further data processing of the decay curves was performed with the inverse Laplace transformation for one-dimensional T ₂ distribution analysis, focusing on the mean lifetime of the long T ₂ component (T _{2long mean}). The results demonstrate that an increase in the aging level of the insulator clearly results in a decrease of T _{2long mean}. For comparison, the relative permittivity of the insulator was also measured. It shows the same trend as that of T _{2long mean}. This indicates that the T _{2long mean} relaxation time obtained from our portable NMR sensor can reliably be used as an index to reflect the aging status of silicone rubber insulator.     

Four-DimensionalH andNa Imaging Using Continuously Oscillating Gradients

A class of fast magnetic spectroscopic imaging methods using continuously oscillating gradients for four-dimensional (three spatial and one spectral) localization is introduced. Sampling may start immediately following the application of an RF excitation pulse, thus enabling measurement of spin density, chemical shift, and relaxation rates of short-T₂species. For spatial localization, steady-state sinusoidal gradient waveforms are used to sample a ball inkspace. The two types of trajectories presented include: (1) continuously oscillating gradients with continuously rotating direction used for steady-state free-precession imaging and (2) continuously oscillating gradients followed by a spoiler directed along discrete projections. Design criteria are given and spatial–spectral and spatial–temporal reconstruction methods are developed. Theoretical point-spread functions and signal-to-noise ratios are derived while consideringT₂^*, off-resonance effects, and RF excitation options. Experimental phantom,in vivo,andin vitro¹H and²³Na images collected at 2.35 T are presented. The¹H images were acquired with isotropic spatial resolution ranging from 0.03 to 0.27 cm³and gradient-oscillation frequencies ranging from 600 to 700 Hz, thus allowing for the separation of water and lipid signals within a voxel. The²³Na images, acquired with 500 and 800 Hz gradient waveforms and 0.70 cm³isotropic resolution, were resolved in the time domain, yielding spatially localized FIDs.     

Structural Nature of 7Li and 11B Sites by Static NMR and MAS NMR in Nonlinear Optical Material LiCsB6O10

The relationship between structure and nonlinear optical properties in LiCsB₆O₁₀ is characterized using single-crystal nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR. Although the quadrupole parameters for B(1) and B(2) sites were obtained using single-crystal NMR, the T ₁ values for these atomic sites could not be distinguished in this way. Thus, the structural nature of lithium and boron sites in LiCsB₆O₁₀ was investigated using MAS NMR. B(1) and B(2) sites could be distinguished based on the spectrum and T _1ρ obtained from ¹¹B MAS NMR. In addition, the T ₁ and T _1ρ values and activation energies for ⁷Li and ¹¹B are compared. No significant changes were seen in the T _1ρ at the lithium and boron nuclei in LiCsB₆O₁₀.     

New pulse sequences for T1− and T1/T2−contrast enhancing in NMR imaging

Improved pulse sequences DIFN (abbreviation of the words: DIFferentiation by N pulses), 90° − τ₁ − 180° − τ₁ − … 180° − τ_n, with optimised time intervals τ₁ for T₁ measurement and contrast enhancing in NMR imaging are presented. The pulse sequences DIFN have a better sensitivity to T₁ than the well-known pulse sequence SR. In contrast to the IR pulse sequence, the information given by the DIFN pulse sequence is more reliable, because the NMR signal does not change its sign. For a given time interval τ₀ ≤ (0.1 − 0.3) T₁′ the DIFN pulse sequences serve as T₁-filters. They pass the signal components with relatively short T₁ < T₁′ and suppress the components with relatively long T₁ < T₁′. The effects of the radiofrequency field inhomogeneity and inaccurate adjusting of pulse lengths are also considered. It is also proposed in this work to use the joint T₁T₂-contrast in NMR imaging obtained as a result of applying the DIFN pulse sequences in combination with the well-known Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence. The region of interest, where the contrast should be especially enhanced, is specified by the two times at which measurements are performed, which allow the amplitudes of pixels to reach some defined levels by spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation.     

Spin-lattice relaxation in multiple-pulse experiments as contrast parameter in NMR imaging of solids

The molecular motion contrast parameter for NMR imaging of solids and quasi-solids based on the spin-lattice relaxation (T _leff) in multiple-pulse experiments is discussed. For Ostroff-Waugh multiple-pulse sequence theT _leff contrast parameter is evaluated in slow and fast molecular motion regime and compared with spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame contrast parameter. It is shown thatT _leff is offering a good molecular motion contrast in NMR imaging of polymer systems. The radio-frequency pulse scheme forT _leff-imaging using magic-echo phase-encoding procedure for recording spatial distribution in solids is introduced. A method forT _leff-weighted imaging using gradient spin-echo valid for weak dipolar solids is also discussed. The one-dimensional protonT _leff image using Ostroff-Waugh pulse sequence in combination with frequency-encoding imaging procedure is presented for a phantom of poly(ethyleneoxide) and poly(methylmethacrylate). The distribution of mechanical stresses in a acrylate film on glass is investigated by protonT _leff-imaging. A proton spin-density image weighted byT _leff, for a mixture of two elastomers with different crosslink density is also shown.