University of Illinois

Andrew G Webb

Jonathan V Sweedler

Richard L Magin

Timothy L Peck

Dean L Olson

Nian Wu

The present invention provides and NMR apparatus comprising an analyte sample holder having a containment region that holds a volume of less than about 1 microliters of the analyte sample, a coil, which encloses the containment region of the analyte sample holder and the analyte sample contained therein, the coil operatively associated with the analyte sample contained in the containment region of the analyte sample holder such that the coil can transmit and/or receive energy from the analyte sample in the containment region of the analyte sample holder, and a magnet to provide a static magnetic field in which the coil and the analyte sample in the containment region of the analyte sample holder are located, wherein the coil and the magnet provide for the obtainment of an NMR spectrum having a spectral line width resolution of less than about 0.1 parts per million.

Microcoil based micro-NMR spectrometer and method

An apparatus for obtaining multiple spectra from a plurality of samples through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A plurality of microcoils are coupled to and are in operable communication with an NMR spectrometer. The coils are operable in both a transmit mode and a receive mode to transmit RF energy to a sample being analyzed and to receive the return data for analysis by the NMR spectrometer. At least one switch is coupled to the plurality of coils and the NMR spectrometer. A controller for the NMR spectrometer is coupled to the switch and is used to control alternative activation of the coils for NMR data acquisition of multiple samples.

Method and apparatus for simultaneous acquisition of high resolution NMR spectra from multiple samples

The present invention provides an NMR apparatus comprising an analyte sample holder having a containment region that holds a volume of less than about 10 microliters of the analyte sample, a microcoil, which encloses the containment region of the analyte sample holder and the analyte sample contained therein, the microcoil having an inside dimension of less than about 1 mm, and the microcoil operatively associated with the analyte sample contained in the containment region of the analyte sample holder such that the microcoil can transmit and/or receive energy from the analyte sample in the containment region of the analyte sample holder, and a magnet having a mass less than about 50 kg, the magnet positioned about the microcoil and the analyte sample in the containment region of the analyte sample holder to provide a static magnetic field in which the microcoil and the analyte sample in the containment region of the analyte sample holder are located, wherein the microcoil and the magnet provide for the obtainment of an NMR spectrum. The present invention also provides a method of analysis and elucidation of the chemical structure of an analyte using NMR, the method comprising providing an analyte sample that has a volume of less than about 10 microliters, enclosing the analyte sample in a microcoil, generating a static magnetic field about the analyte sample using a magnet, transmitting energy to the analyte sample to excite the sample from its equilibrium state to its excited state, detecting the energy emitted from the analyte sample when the sample relaxes from its excited state to its equilibrium state using the microcoil, and analyzing and graphically displaying the detected energy as a time or frequency domain spectrum.

An apparatus and method for compensation of magnetic susceptibility variation in NMR microspectroscopy detection microcoils. NMR detection microcoils are formed with side-by-side windings in order to approximate a uniform cylindrical sheet coil. The wire may have a thin layer of insulation in order to prevent shorting between adjacent turns, or (if the wire diameter is small enough) uninsulated wire may be wound with the adjacent turns touching without fear of shorting between coil turns. Additionally, a susceptibility matching medium, such as a perfluorinated hydrocarbon, may be placed around the microcoil to minimize susceptibility-induced variations in the B.sub.0 magnetic field.

Apparatus and method for compensation of magnetic susceptibility

A method and apparatus for structural elucidation and determination of a nanoliter size sample of analyte. The method includes separating the analyte using a microseparation technique and then substantially simultaneously analyzing or detecting the sample using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The apparatus includes an RF microcoil positioned for operable communication with a capillary member of the microseparation system and the NMR spectrometer to provide enhanced sensitivity and improved signal-to-noise ratio of the NMR spectrometer necessary to accurately analyze or detect nanoliter size samples.

Growing community of inventors

Urbana, IL, United States of America

Andrew G Webb