SQUID-based simultaneous detection of NMR and biomagnetic signals at ultra-low magnetic fields

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 635 - 639
• Main Authors: Espy, M.A., Matlachov, A.N., Volegov, P.L., Mosher, J.C., Kraus, R.H.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.06.2005; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biomagnetics; Biomagnetism; Costs; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; General (including economical and industrial fields); Interference; low magnetic field; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic fields; Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; SQUID; SQUIDs; Superconducting devices; Superconducting magnets; Superconducting quantum interference devices; Superconductivity; ULF; low magnetic field; Cost minimization; MRI; SQUID; Magnetic resonance; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Biomagnetism; NMR; Line width; Imaging; Superconducting quantum interferometer device; Simultaneous measurement; Magnetocardiography; Economic aspect; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Magnetic field; Cost lowering
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/TASC.2005.849978

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ultra-low magnetic fields (ULF, fields of /spl sim//spl mu/T) have several advantages over their counterparts at higher magnetic fields. These include narrow line widths, the possibility of novel imaging schemes such as T/sub 1/ weighted images, and reduced system cost and complexity. In addition, ULF NMR/MRI with superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is compatible with simultaneous measurements of biomagnetic signals, a capability conventional systems cannot offer. SQUID-based ULF MRI has already been demonstrated, as have measurements of simultaneous MEG and NMR at ULF. In this paper we will show simultaneous magnetocardiography (MCG) and magnetomyography (MMG) with NMR are also possible. Another compelling application of NMR/MRI at ULF is the possibility of directly measuring magnetic resonance consequences of neuronal signals. In this paper we explore simultaneous MMG/NMR and MCG/NMR for an effect on the NMR signal, in T/sub 2//sup */, that might be associated with the effects of bioelectric currents.