US6777937B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear quadrupole resonance method and apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 2003-03-06
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Granted: 2004-08-17
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Expires: 2023-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal includes a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency, a receiver for detecting the NQR signal, a probe, and a switch coupling the receiver and the transmitter with the probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting the receiver and the transmitter to the probe, thereby switching the NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode. The probe consists of a resonant circuit that includes a coil array. The coil array includes a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside the probe. The first and second coils together alternate between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting an NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample. The coil array produces a highly uniform rotating RF magnetic field, increasing its detection sensitivity and enhancing its ability to separate magnetic resonance signals from piezoelectric and acoustic ringing.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Miller
- 👤 Allen Garroway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/34; G01R33/341; G01R33/3415; G01R33/44; G01R33/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal, comprising: a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency; a receiver for detecting the NQR signal; a probe; a switch coupling said receiver and said transmitter with said probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting said receiver and said transmitter to said probe, thereby switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said probe comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said probe, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal, comprising: a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency; a receiver for detecting the NQR signal; a probe; a switch coupling said receiver and said transmitter with said probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting said receiver and said transmitter to said probe, thereby switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said probe comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said probe, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An NQR apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first and second coils are coplanar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An NQR apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first and second coils are rotated up to about 30 degrees with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An NQR apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first and second coils overlap about 68 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
An NQR surface coil array, comprising: a first figure-8 coil and a substantially coplanar, partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said coils, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting an NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
An NQR surface coil array, comprising: a first figure-8 coil and a substantially coplanar, partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said coils, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting an NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An NQR surface coil array as in claim 5 , wherein said first and second coils are coplanar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An NQR surface coil array as in claim 5 , wherein said first and second coils are rotated up to about 30 degrees with respect to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An NQR surface coil array as in claim 5 , wherein said first and second coils overlap about 68 percent.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for detecting a target material containing a quadrupole nuclei-containing substance, comprising: providing an NQR apparatus comprising: a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency; a receiver for detecting the NQR signal; a probe; a switch coupling said receiver and said transmitter with said probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting said receiver and said transmitter to said probe, thereby switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said probe comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said probe, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample; and positioning the sample in the detecting region to determine the presence of the target material in the sample.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for detecting a target material containing a quadrupole nuclei-containing substance, comprising: providing an NQR apparatus comprising: a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency; a receiver for detecting the NQR signal; a probe; a switch coupling said receiver and said transmitter with said probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting said receiver and said transmitter to said probe, thereby switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said probe comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside said probe, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample; and positioning the sample in the detecting region to determine the presence of the target material in the sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 9 , wherein said first and second coils are coplanar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 9 , wherein said first and second coils are rotated up to about 30 degrees with respect to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 9 , wherein said first and second coils overlap about 68 percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
177 words
An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal, comprising: means for transmitting an output signal at a selected frequency; means for receiving and detecting the NQR signal; means for applying the output signal in a detecting region; means for coupling said receiving means and said transmitting means with said signal applying means for switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said signal applying means comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in the detecting region outside said signal applying means, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
177 words
An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal, comprising: means for transmitting an output signal at a selected frequency; means for receiving and detecting the NQR signal; means for applying the output signal in a detecting region; means for coupling said receiving means and said transmitting means with said signal applying means for switching said NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; wherein said signal applying means comprises a resonant circuit including a coil array, and wherein said coil array comprises a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in the detecting region outside said signal applying means, and wherein said first and second coil are configured for alternating together between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting the NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An NQR apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein said first and second coils are coplanar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An NQR apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein said first and second coils are rotated up to about 30 degrees with respect to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An NQR apparatus Os in claim 13 , wherein said first and second coils overlap about 68 percent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-08-17 | 2008-02-16 | 2008-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-17 | 2012-02-16 | 2012-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-17 | 2016-02-16 | 2016-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |