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Apparatus and methodology for determining oxygen in biological systems

Assignee: Dartmouth College
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Filing: 1993-08-12
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Granted: 1996-02-27
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Expires: 2013-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides apparatus and methods for measuring oxygen tensions in biological systems utilizing physiologically acceptable paramagnetic material, such as India ink or carbon black, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry. India ink is introduced to the biological system and exposed to a magnetic field and an electromagnetic field in the 1-2 GHz range. The EPR spectra is then measured at the biological system to determine oxygen concentration. The EPR spectra is determined by an EPR spectrometer that adjusts the resonator to a single resonator frequency to compensate for movements of the biological system, such as a human or animal. The biological system can also include other in vivo tissues, cells, and cell cultures to directly measure pO 2 non-destructively.

Inventors

  • 👤 Harold M. Swartz
  • 👤 Fuminori Goda
  • 👤 Tadeusz Walczak
  • 👤 Ke J. Liu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 18:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/05; A61B5/055; A61B5/14542; A61B5/41; A61B5/411; A61B5/414; A61B5/415; A61B5/416; A61B5/418; G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/46; G01R33/465; G01R33/60; G01R33/28; G01R33/281

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 161 words
Apparatus for measuring oxygen tension in a biological system having a paramagnetic located therein, comprising (a) magnetic means for selectively applying a magnetic field of selectable strength to the biological system, (b) electromagnetic means for selectively applying electromagnetic radiation having a selected substantially constant frequency to the paramagnetic material in the biological system, (c) detection means for detecting the electron paramagnetic spectra of the biological system, said spectra having a selected peak-to-peak line width that is indicative of said oxygen tension in the biological system, (d) resonator means coupled to the electromagnetic means,said resonator means including means for tuning said resonator means to the constant frequency of said electromagnetic means to maintain a substantially constant resonant frequency in response to movements in the biological system, (e) console means in communication with said detection means for displaying said spectra, and (f) computer means connected to said console means for controlling said apparatus, and for analyzing said spectra to determine said oxygen tension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 161 words
Apparatus for measuring oxygen tension in a biological system having a paramagnetic located therein, comprising (a) magnetic means for selectively applying a magnetic field of selectable strength to the biological system, (b) electromagnetic means for selectively applying electromagnetic radiation having a selected substantially constant frequency to the paramagnetic material in the biological system, (c) detection means for detecting the electron paramagnetic spectra of the biological system, said spectra having a selected peak-to-peak line width that is indicative of said oxygen tension in the biological system, (d) resonator means coupled to the electromagnetic means,said resonator means including means for tuning said resonator means to the constant frequency of said electromagnetic means to maintain a substantially constant resonant frequency in response to movements in the biological system, (e) console means in communication with said detection means for displaying said spectra, and (f) computer means connected to said console means for controlling said apparatus, and for analyzing said spectra to determine said oxygen tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detection means includes preamplifier means and a detector for combined, high-dynamic range detection of said electron paramagnetic spectra.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tuning means comprises an automatic frequency control means with a fixed frequency oscillator and a varactor diode tuned resonator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resonator means comprises a high Q LC circuit coupled with an external planar loop via a λ/2 symmetrical line.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 107 words
A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising means for introducing india ink into the biological system, magnetic means for applying a first magnetic field to the biological system, radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 100 MHz and about 5 GHz to the biological system to excite the india ink to a higher energy state, said excited india ink then relaxing at a rate dependent upon the presence of oxygen in the biological system, and means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system, said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 107 words
A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising means for introducing india ink into the biological system, magnetic means for applying a first magnetic field to the biological system, radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 100 MHz and about 5 GHz to the biological system to excite the india ink to a higher energy state, said excited india ink then relaxing at a rate dependent upon the presence of oxygen in the biological system, and means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system, said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for sweeping the magnitude of said first magnetic field between about 100 Gauss and about 500 Gauss.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 52 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means for sweeping includes second magnetic means for applying a second magnetic field generally parallel to the first magnetic field to the biological system, and adjusting means for adjusting the intensity of the second magnetic field to vary the magnitude of the first magnetic field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means for sweeping comprises a magnet or an electromagnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising modulation means for generating a third magnetic field generally orthogonal to said first magnetic field, and means for modulating said third magnetic field between about 1 KHz and about 500 KHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said means for determining comprises a resonator having an operating resonant frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 49 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said radiation means applies radiation having a substantially constant frequency, said system further comprising resonant frequency control means for adjusting said resonant frequency of said resonator in response to movements of the biological system to match said constant frequency of said radiation means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 5 further including a resonator operable at a selected resonant frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 45 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said radiation means applies radiation having a substantially constant frequency, said system further including tuning means for tuning said resonant frequency of said resonator to said constant frequency of said radiation means to maintain a substantially constant resonant frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said tuning means includes an automatic frequency control circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said resonator includes an LC resonant circuit, and an external planar antenna loop in communication with said resonant circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said resonator further includes a variable inductive coupling and a varactor diode in electrical communication with said resonant circuit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 118 words
A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising means for introducing an electron paramagnetic material into the biological system, magnetic means for applying a magnetic field to the biological system, radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a selected substantially constant frequency to the biological system to excite the paramagnetic material, resonator means operable at a selected resonant frequency, tuning means for tuning said resonant frequency of said resonator to match said constant frequency radiation means to maintain a constant resonant frequency in response to movements in the biological system, and means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system, said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 118 words
A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising means for introducing an electron paramagnetic material into the biological system, magnetic means for applying a magnetic field to the biological system, radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a selected substantially constant frequency to the biological system to excite the paramagnetic material, resonator means operable at a selected resonant frequency, tuning means for tuning said resonant frequency of said resonator to match said constant frequency radiation means to maintain a constant resonant frequency in response to movements in the biological system, and means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system, said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said electron paramagnetic material comprises carbon black.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4560663A Cited
US4593248A Cited
US4714886A Cited
US4803624A Cited
US5204628A Cited
WO1992007259A1 Cited
US5233303A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-02-26 1999-08-28 2000-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-02-26 2003-08-28 2004-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-02-26 2007-08-28 2008-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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