Solid state NMR probe

Claim 2

An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said probe comprising: a probe body with a distal end; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and means for conducting said second electrical signal to a processing means.

Claim 3

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probe body comprises NMR visible material.

Claim 4

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coil means includes metalization disposed on a surface of said integrated circuit.

Claim 5

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probe further includes: means for cooling said integrated circuit to a substantially constant temperature below the temperature of said sample.

Claim 6

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cooling means includes a plurality of Peltier junction devices integrated into said integrated circuit, and wherein said conducting means includes means for receiving an electrical driving signal for driving said Peltier junction devices, said conducting means also including means for conducting said driving signal to said Peltier junction devices.

Claim 7

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 5 wherein said Peltier junction devices are disposed proximate to said coil for reducing thermo-resistive variation in the impedance said coil.

Claim 8

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conducting means includes means for receiving an electrical perturbation signal at a selected perturbation frequency and for conducting said perturbation signal to said coil so that said coil can radiate an electromagnetic field in response to said perturbation signal for selectively modulating the magnetic polarization of a sample proximate to said integrated circuit.

Claim 9

An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said processing means including a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency said probe comprising: a probe body with a distal end; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and means for conducting said second electrical signal to the processing means; said converter means comprising: a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and selected frequencies; and means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier.

Claim 10

An NMR probe for providing to a processing means an electrical representation of NMR spectra emitted from and within a sample, said processing means including a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency said probe comprising: a probe body with a distal end; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body for insertion into a sample, said integrated circuit including coil means for converting electromagnetic energy representing an NMR spectrum into a first electrical signal having a selected first frequency and converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal with a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and means for conducting said second electrical signal to the processing means; said converter means comprising: a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and selected frequencies; and means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier.

Claim 11

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 8 further comprising means for generating and coupling a reverse biasing potential to said integrated circuit capacitor, wherein said capacitor includes: an integrated circuit diode having a p-n junction coupled to said means for coupling a reverse biasing potential, the depletion region width of said reverse biased p-n junction varying in response to said control signal.

Claim 12

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 9 wherein said conducting means includes one or more coaxial cables disposed within said probe.

Claim 13

An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means, said probe comprising: a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second converter means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means.

Claim 14

An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means, said probe comprising: a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second converter means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means.

Claim 15

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 11 wherein said probe comprises NMR visible material.

Claim 16

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first converter means comprises a coil, said coil including metalization disposed on a surface of said integrated circuit.

Claim 17

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 11 wherein said probe further includes: means for cooling said integrated circuit to a substantially constant temperature below the temperature of the medium surrounding said probe.

Claim 18

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for cooling includes a plurality of Peltier junction devices integrated into said integrated circuit, and wherein said conducting means includes means for receiving an electrical driving signal for driving said Peltier junction devices, said conducting means also including means for conducting said driving signal to said Peltier junction devices.

Claim 19

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 15 wherein said Peltier junction devices are disposed proximate to said coil for reducing thermo-resistive emissions of said coil.

Claim 20

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 11 wherein said conducting means includes means for receiving an electrical perturbation signal at a selected perturbation frequency and for conducting said perturbation signal to said coil so that said coil can radiate an electromagnetic field in response to said perturbation signal for selectively modulating the magnetic polarization of a sample proximate to said integrated circuit.

Claim 21

An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means which includes a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency, said probe comprising: a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means; said second converter means comprising:

Claim 22

An NMR probe for converting an NMR spectrum into an electrical signal analyzable by a processing means which includes a means for generating a control signal at a selected frequency, said probe comprising: a probe body having a distal end; a plurality of lumens disposed longitudinally within said probe body; an integrated circuit carried at said distal end of said probe body, said integrated circuit including first converter means for converting detected NMR emissions into a first electrical signal having a first frequency, and second converter means for converting said first electrical signal into a second electrical signal having a second frequency greater than said first frequency; and electrical conducting means disposed within one of said lumens and coupled to said second means for communicating said second electrical signal to said processing means; said second converter means comprising:

Claim 23

a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and said selected frequencies; and means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier.

Claim 24

a passive parametric amplifier having an integrated circuit capacitor, said capacitor having a capacitance which can be sinusoidally varied in response to said control signal, said second frequency being the sum of said first and said selected frequencies; and means for coupling said control signal to said parametric amplifier.

Claim 25

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 18 further comprising means for generating and coupling a reverse biasing potential to said integrated circuit, wherein said capacitor includes: an integrated circuit diode having a p-n junction coupled to said reverse bias coupling means, the depletion region width of said reverse biased p-n junction varying in response to said control signal.

Claim 26

An NMR probe as set forth in claim 19 wherein said conducting means includes one or more coaxial cables, each of said cables being disposed within an associated one of said lumens.

Claim 29

A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said inserting means includes a tube adapted for inserting said receiving means into a cavity in said organism, said receiving means being disposed at a distal end of said tube.

Claim 30

A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said inserting means includes a catheter adapted for inserting said receiving means into a blood vessel in said organism, said receiving means being disposed at a distal end of said catheter.

Claim 31

A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said system further includes: means for cooling said receiving means to a preselected temperature when said receiver is placed in said organism.

Claim 32

A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said inserting means includes an endoscopic tube having fluid channels adapted for communicating cooling fluid from a source of cooling fluid to said receiving means, said receiving means being disposed at a distal end of said tube.

Claim 33

A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said inserting means includes a catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel of said organism and having fluid channels adapted for communicating cooling fluid from a source of cooling fluid to said receiving means, said receiving means being disposed at a distal end of said catheter.

Claim 34

A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said receiving means comprises a coil.

Claim 37

A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said placing step includes: attaching said receiver to a distal end of a tube; and inserting said tube into an orifice of said organism communicating with an organ of said organism to position said receiver proximate to said area of interest.

Claim 38

A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said placing step includes: attaching said receiver to a distal end of a catheter; and inserting said catheter into a vessel of said organism to position said receiver proximate to said area of interest.

Claim 39

A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said method further includes: cooling said receiver to maintain a selected temperature when said receiver is placed in said organism.