The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 17, 2002
Xiao Dong Xiang, Alameda, CA (US);
Gerald F. Dionne, Winchester, MA (US);
Haitao Yang, Albany, CA (US);
Xiao Dong Xiang, Alameda, CA (US);
Gerald F. Dionne, Winchester, MA (US);
Haitao Yang, Albany, CA (US);
Intematix Corporation, Moraga, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for improving the magnetic resonance imaging contrast of a selected portion of a sample. A selected ferrimagnetic constituent is associated with the sample portion, by molecular or biological attachment or by some other means, so that the sample portion is distinguished from other adjacent portions of the sample that do not have the selected ferrimagnetic constituent associated therewith. Alternatively, the sample portion is suspected, but not yet confirmed, to have the selected ferrimagnetic constituent associated with it. Ferromagnetic resonance imaging is performed on the sample portion, and at least one resonance frequency ωof the sample portion is provided. At least one material parameter of the sample portion is measured at or near the frequency ω, with enhanced imaging contrast relative to adjacent portions of the sample that do not have the selected ferrimagnetic constituent in association. Alternatively, the measured value is compared with a corresponding reference value for the selected ferrimagnetic constituent. If (and only if) the measured and corresponding reference values substantially agree, the selected ferrimagnetic constituent is present in association with the selected sample portion. Other parameters of the selected ferrimagnetic consituent can also be measured.