US4859949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1988-01-26
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Granted: 1989-08-22
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Expires: 2008-01-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a clinical magnetic resonance spectrometer which overcomes many of the limitations of the laboratory instruments created thus far. A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, includes magnetic resonance excitation and detection apparatus having a vertically oriented central bore for receiving the sample to be tested and means for engaging the container by the opposing ends thereof and for spinning the container. Another embodiment includes magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including a cylindrical radio frequency coil for surrounding at least a portion of a sample to be tested, the bore and coil both having open bottom ends, and means for raising and lowering a vertically oriented, elongated container, holding a sample to be tested, into and out of the bore and coil through the open bottom ends thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert W. McKenna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/30; G01R33/307
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, the apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including a container receiving portion therein for receiving the sample to be tested; and means for engaging the container by the opposing ends thereof when it is positioned within said bore, and for spinning the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, the apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including a container receiving portion therein for receiving the sample to be tested; and means for engaging the container by the opposing ends thereof when it is positioned within said bore, and for spinning the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for engaging and spinning includes an air driven motor means located within the central bore and above the container receiving portion thereof for engaging one end of the container and for causing the container to spin when so engaged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the air driven motor means includes means for delivering drive air thereto for use in powering and lubricating the air driven motor means and means for removing used air therefrom for reducing contact between the used air and the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the air driven motor means includes a downwardly facing conical receptacle having a circular washer mounted thereon for engaging one end of the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for engaging and spinning includes a ram means located beneath the container for rotatably supporting the other end of the container and for causing engagement of the one end of the container with the motor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ram means includes alignment means for centering the ram means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising the elongated sample container having opposing ends with the one end being partially sphereical in shape for engaging the conical receptacle of the motor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sample container is a test tube which is less than five inches long.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the other end of the container has a downwardly facing, conically shaped receptacle for contacting the ram means therein, and further wherein the ram means has a point for contacting the receptacle of the container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ram means includes spring means for biasing the point into contact with the receptacle of the other end of the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the magnetic resonance excitation and detection means includes a radio frequency coil located within the central bore and beneath the air driven motor means for exciting and measuring magnetic resonance within the sample to be tested, the radio frequency coil being generally cylindrical for surrounding at least a portion of the sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the radio frequency coil has a diameter adapted for physically reducing measuring sensitivity thereof for reducing the strength of any noise signals received thereby.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, the apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including a cylindrical radio frequency coil for surrounding a portion of a sample to be tested, the bore and coil both having open bottom ends; and means for raising and lowering a vertically oriented, elongated sample container into and out of the bore and coil through the open bottom ends thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, the apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including a cylindrical radio frequency coil for surrounding a portion of a sample to be tested, the bore and coil both having open bottom ends; and means for raising and lowering a vertically oriented, elongated sample container into and out of the bore and coil through the open bottom ends thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for raising and lowering includes vertical guide means and a ram adapted to support the container and move it through the guide means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the guide means includes alignment means for centering the ram when the container is within the coil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the container has a bottom end with a conically shaped receptacle for contacting the ram and further wherein the ram has a conically shaped point for contacting the receptacle of the container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the ram includes spring means for biasing the point into contact with the receptacle of the bottom end of the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for orienting the container vertically below the guide means and above the ram.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for orienting includes a container holder having a vertical bore passing therethrough, the top of the bore being adapted for receiving the container therethrough.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the bore of the holder includes a bottom opening adapted to allow the ram to pass therethrough and to prevent the container from passing therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for orienting includes a surface for supporting the holder and the surface includes an opening for allowing the ram to pass therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for orienting includes an electrical stepper motor with a rotor having magnetically identical stopped positions for providing an identical magnetic influence on the spectroscopy apparatus regardless of the stopped position of the rotor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for raising and lowering includes a circular means for controlling the position of the ram and an electrical stepper motor having a rotor coupled to the circular means, the rotor having magnetically identical stopped positions for providing an identical magnetic influence on the spectroscopy apparatus regardless of the stopped position of the rotor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the ram includes a rigid portion adapted to engage the container and a flexible portion adapted to be wrapped around the circular means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means located within the central bore and above the radio frequency coil for engaging and spinning the container and including an air driven motor means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the air driven motor means includes means for delivering drive air thereto for use in powering and lubricating the air driven motor means and means for removing used air therefrom for reducing contact between the used air and the container.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the air driven motor means includes a downwardly facing conical receptacle having a circular washer mounted therein for engaging the container from above and for imparting spin thereto when so engaged.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the air driven motor means is adapted to be constantly spun while a container is being engaged therewith and later removed to provide for centering and easy removal of the container, respectively.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the air driven motor means includes a stator and a captured rotor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
119 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, said apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including therein a container receiving portion for receiving the sample to be tested; spinning means located within said container receiving portion of said bore, said spinning means including a spinning portion adapted to make frictional contact with a portion of said container for imparting spinning movement thereto; and means for positioning said container within said bore for establishing a non-slip frictional contact between said spinning portion of said spinning means and a portion of said container, said frictional contact causing said container to spin within said bore.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
119 words
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy apparatus for testing a sample contained within an elongated container having opposing ends, said apparatus comprising: magnetic resonance excitation and detection means having a vertically oriented central bore including therein a container receiving portion for receiving the sample to be tested; spinning means located within said container receiving portion of said bore, said spinning means including a spinning portion adapted to make frictional contact with a portion of said container for imparting spinning movement thereto; and means for positioning said container within said bore for establishing a non-slip frictional contact between said spinning portion of said spinning means and a portion of said container, said frictional contact causing said container to spin within said bore.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein: said spinning means includes an air driven motor means located within said central bore and above said container receiving portion thereof for engaging one end of said container and for causing said container to spin when so engaged.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein: said air driven motor means includes means for delivering drive air thereto for use in powering and lubricating said air driven motor means and means for removing used air therefrom for reducing contact between said used air and said container.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein: said air driven motor means includes a downwardly facing conical receptacle having a circular washer mounted thereon for engaging said one end of said container.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus of claim 31, wherein said means for positioning said container includes ram means located beneath said container for rotatably supporting an other end of said container and for causing frictional contact of said one end of said container with said air driven motor means when said ram means positions said container within said bore.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-21 | 1993-02-20 | 1993-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-21 | 1997-02-20 | 1997-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-21 | 2001-02-20 | 2001-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |