US4558279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for detecting and imaging a temperature of an object by nuclear magnetic resonance
Assignee: Childrens Hospital Research Foundation
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Filing: 1983-03-07
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2003-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A novel and improved method to detect indirectly a temperature of an object employing nuclear magnetic resonance techniques (NMR). The method involves obtaining an NMR spectrum to determine chemical shift, relaxation times, spin-spin couplings or quadrupole couplings for an element of a compound having at least one conformational isomer wherein the compound is influenced by a temperature of the object. Uniquely, the present invention may detect temperature in the body of an animal. Further, the present invention discloses a novel method to determine and monitor thermal physiological states in an animal as well as determine and monitor thermal states in an object. Because of the unique and advantageous non-invasive, non-destructive and non-ionizing properties, the present invention may be employed in an object or animal continuously. The present invention also provides for the thermal imaging, or NMR thermography, by one-, two-, or three-dimensional reconstruction techniques from chemical shift, relaxation times, (e.g., T 1 or T 2 ,) spin-spin couplings and quadrupole couplings for an element of a compound having at least one conformational isomer in an object or animal influenced by a temperature in the object or animal. The methods disclosed are applicable to inanimate and animate solids.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome L. Ackerman
- 👤 Leland C. Clark, Jr.
- 👤 Stephen R. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/4804; A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/06; G01K; G01K11/00; G01R33/54; G01R33/56; G01R33/5601; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of determining temperature of an object comprising subjecting the object comprising a compound to an NMR spectrometer, the compound having at least two forms which are conformational isomers undergoing an exchange process between the conformational isomers which is influenced by temperature, exposing the compound to temperature to influence the exchange process, and detecting and processing radio-frequency signals derived from the nuclear magnetic resonance of an element of the compound undergoing the influenced exchange process as a determination of the temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of determining temperature of an object comprising subjecting the object comprising a compound to an NMR spectrometer, the compound having at least two forms which are conformational isomers undergoing an exchange process between the conformational isomers which is influenced by temperature, exposing the compound to temperature to influence the exchange process, and detecting and processing radio-frequency signals derived from the nuclear magnetic resonance of an element of the compound undergoing the influenced exchange process as a determination of the temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is an animal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is a solid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is a liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said detected signals for said element correspond to spectral patterns representative of said conformational isomers of said compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said spectral patterns are compared to standard spectral patterns determined and established for said element influenced by varying known temperatures independent of said object as a means to determine temperature in said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein difference between said spectral patterns correspond to a chemical exchange rate between said conformational isomers representative of said temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein difference between said spectral patterns is representative of said temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein relative intensities of NMR lines within said spectral patterns are representative of said temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is determined from relaxation times derived from said detected element of said compound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said relaxation times are compared to standard relaxation times determined and established for said element influenced by varying known temperatures independent of said object as a means to determine temperature in said object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said relaxation times are spin-lattice relaxation times.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is determined from spin-spin couplings derived from detected element of said compound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said spin-spin couplings are compared to standard spin-spin couplings determined and established for said element influenced by varying known temperatures independent of said object as a means to determine temperature in said object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is determined from quadrupole couplings derived from detected element of said compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said quadrupole couplings are compared to standard quadrupole couplings determined and established for said element influenced by varying known temperatures independent of said object as a means to determine temperature in said object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said detected element is fluorine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said fluorine is derived from a perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is introduced into said object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is introduced into said animal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is RES-phobic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is in aqueous form.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
205 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is selected from the group consisting of perfluoro (methylcyclohexane), perfluoro-1-methyldecalin [also known as perfluoro(decahydro-α-methylnapthalene)], perfluoro (1,3-dimethylcyclohexane), perfluoro (decahydronaphthalene), and perfluoro (decahydrodimethylnaphthalene), or mixtures thereof, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo [3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane hydrocarbon, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, and perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.1]decane, and perfluorotributylamine (FC47), perfluorodecalin (PP5), perfluorotetrahydrofuran (FC80), perfluoroether (PID) [(CF 3 ) 2 CFOCF 2 (CF 2 ) 2 CF 2 OCF(CF 3 ) 2 ], perfluoroether (PIID) [(CF 3 ) 2 CFOCF 2 (CF 2 ) 6 CF 2 OCF(CF 3 ) 2 ], ##STR2## perfluoropolymer (E4) [CF 3 CHF(OCF 2 CF) 3 OCF 2 CF 2 CF 3 ], perfluoroetherpolyer (Fomblin Y01), perfluorododecane, perfluorobicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, perfluorotrimethylcyclohexane, perfluoroisopropylcyclohexane, perfluoroendotetrahydrodicylopentadiene, perfluorobicyclo]5.3.0.]decane, perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane, perfluoro-1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane, perfluoro-n-butylcyclohexane, perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluoro-1-methyl adamantane, perfluoro-1-methyl-4-t-butylcyclohexane, perfluorodecahydroacenaphthlene, perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluoro-n-undecane, perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, perfluoro-1,3,5,7-tetramethyladamantane, perfluorododecahydrofluorene, perfluoro-1,3-dimethyl adamantane, perfluoro-n-octylcyclohexane, perfluoro-7-methylbicyclo[4.3.0.]nonane, perfluoro-p-diisopropylcyclohexane, and perfluoro-m-diisopropylcyclohexane, and perfluorocyclocarbons such as perfluoro (methylcyclohexane), perfluoro (1,3-dimethylcyclohexane), perfluoro (decahydronaphthalene), perfluoro (decahydro-1-methylnaphthalene) and perfluoro (decahydrodimethylnaphthalene), or mixtures thereof, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane hydrocarbon, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.0.]decane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, and perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.0]decane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said element is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, carbon, chlorine, magnesium, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, platinum, hydrogen, silicon or sodium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is detected in tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is detected in blood.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said temperature is detected continuously.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said detected signals for said element in said object influenced by a temperature are determined for at least one region in said object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein at least one determined said region is a strip in said object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein at least one determined said region is substantially a planar slice in said object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein said slices are parallel in said animal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein at least one said region is a matrix at least in an area of interest in said object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein said detected signals for an element in said object influenced by a temperature in at least one said region corresponds to the distribution of said temperature in said object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein said detected signals for an element in said object influenced by a temperature in at least one said region is further processed to reconstruct at least one projection of said temperature in said object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein the detected signals are processed into a one-, two-, or three-dimensional image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein said image of said temperature is processed from chemical shift, spin-lattice relaxation time, spin-spin relaxation time, spin-spin coupling or quadrupole coupling.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method is used to determine a thermal physiological state in an animal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method is used to monitor a thermal physiological state in an animal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method is used to monitor a thermal state in an object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said relaxation times are spin-spin relaxation times.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the spectral pattern is representative of the temperature of the object.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining temperature in an area of interest in an animal comprising introducing into the animal a perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof for providing fluorine into the area of interest, the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof having at least two forms which are conformational isomers undergoing an exchange process between the conformational isomers which is influenced by temperature in the area of interest, subjecting the animal to an NMR spectrometer, exposing the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof to temperature to influence the exchange process, and detecting and processing radio-frequency signals from the nuclear magnetic resonance of the fluorine of the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof undergoing the temperature influenced exchange process as a determination of the temperature in the area of interest.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining temperature in an area of interest in an animal comprising introducing into the animal a perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof for providing fluorine into the area of interest, the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof having at least two forms which are conformational isomers undergoing an exchange process between the conformational isomers which is influenced by temperature in the area of interest, subjecting the animal to an NMR spectrometer, exposing the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof to temperature to influence the exchange process, and detecting and processing radio-frequency signals from the nuclear magnetic resonance of the fluorine of the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof undergoing the temperature influenced exchange process as a determination of the temperature in the area of interest.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is in an aqueous medium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 42 wherein the perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is a perfluorocyclocarbon.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 42 wherein the temperature is determined from relaxation times, spin-spin couplings or chemical shifts.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 45 wherein the relaxation times are spin-lattice relaxation times.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 45 wherein the relaxation times are spin-spin relaxation times.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 42 wherein said detected signals are further processed into a one-, two-, or three-dimensional image.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of detecting at least one temperature in an object comprising subjecting said object to an NMR spectrometer, detecting radio-frequency signals in a spectral pattern of a fluorine element derived from a perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof having at least one conformational isomer associated with said object wherein said fluorine element is influenced by said temperature, and comparing said detected signals as a means to detect said temperature.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of detecting at least one temperature in an object comprising subjecting said object to an NMR spectrometer, detecting radio-frequency signals in a spectral pattern of a fluorine element derived from a perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof having at least one conformational isomer associated with said object wherein said fluorine element is influenced by said temperature, and comparing said detected signals as a means to detect said temperature.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is introduced into said object.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is introduced into said animal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is RES-phobic.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is in aqueous form.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
205 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said perfluorocarbon or derivative thereof is selected from the group consisting of perfluoro (methylcyclohexane), perfluoro-1-methyldecalin [also known as perfluoro(decahydro-α-methylnapthalene)], perfluoro (1,3-dimethylcyclohexane), perfluoro (decahydronaphthalene), and perfluoro (decahydrodimethylnaphthalene), or mixtures thereof, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo [3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane hydrocarbon, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, and perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.1]decane, and perfluorotributylamine (FC47), perfluorodecalin (PP5), perfluorotetrahydrofuran (FC80), perfluoroether (PID) [(CF 3 ) 2 CFOCF 2 (CF 2 ) 2 CF 2 OCF(CF 3 ) 2 ], perfluoroether (PIID) [(CF 3 ) 2 CFOCF 2 (CF 2 ) 6 CF 2 OCF(CF 3 ) 2 ], ##STR3## perfluroropolymer (E4) [CF 3 CHF(OCF 2 CF) 3 OCF 2 CF 2 CF 3 ], perfluoroetherpolyer (Fomblin Y/01), perfluorododecane, perfluorobicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, perfluorotrimethylcyclohexane, perfluoroisopropylcyclohexane, perfluoroendotetrahydrodicylopentadiene, perfluorobicyclo[5.3.0.]decane, perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane, perfluoro-1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane, perfluoro-n-butylcyclohexane, perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluoro-1-methyl adamantane, perfluoro-1-methyl-4-t-butylcyclohexane, perfluorodecahydroacenaphthlene, perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluoro-n-undecane, perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, perfluoro-1,3,5,7-tetramethyladamantane, perfluorododecahydrofluorene, perfluoro-1,3-dimethyl adamantane, perfluoro-n-octylcyclohexane, perfluoro-7-methylbicyclo[4.3.0.]nonane, perfluoro-p-diisopropylcyclohexane, and perfluoro-m-diisopropylcyclohexane, and perfluorocyclocarbons such as perfluoro (methylcyclohexane), perfluoro (1,3-dimethylcyclohexane), perfluoro (decahydronaphthalene), perfluoro (decahydro-1-methylnaphthalene) and perfluoro (decahydrodimethylnaphthalene), or mixtures thereof, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane hydrocarbon, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorodimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorodimethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.0.]decane, perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, perfluorinated bicyclononane, perfluorinated bicyclooctane, perfluorinated adamantane, perfluoromethyladamantane and perfluorotrimethylbicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane, and perfluorotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and perfluorobicyclo[5.3.0.]decane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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