Abstract: According to one aspect, a magnetic resonance (NMR or MRI) phantom includes a spherical or quasi-spherical casing enclosing an internal chamber, and an internal phantom structure situated within the internal chamber. The casing includes alignment features allowing the sequential alignment/orientation of the phantom along three orthogonal axes. In some embodiments, the casing is shaped as a quasi-spherical intercyl having an outer surface defined by the intersection of three orthogonal cylinders. In some embodiments, the casing may be shaped as a sphere having orthogonal registration holes or channels sized to accommodate a corresponding protrusion or ridge in a phantom holder; the casing may also include protrusions or ridges sized to fit into a matching hole or channel defined in a holder. One or more internal phantom plates may include air bubble transfer apertures allowing air bubbles to flow between opposite sides of a plate as a liquid-filled phantom is rotated.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a magnetic resonance (NMR or MRI) phantom includes a spherical or quasi-spherical casing enclosing an internal chamber, and an internal phantom structure situated within the internal chamber. The casing includes alignment features allowing the sequential alignment/orientation of the phantom along three orthogonal axes. In some embodiments, the casing is shaped as a quasi-spherical intercyl having an outer surface defined by the intersection of three orthogonal cylinders. In some embodiments, the casing may be shaped as a sphere having orthogonal registration holes or channels sized to accommodate a corresponding protrusion or ridge in a phantom holder; the casing may also include protrusions or ridges sized to fit into a matching hole or channel defined in a holder. One or more internal phantom plates may include air bubble transfer apertures allowing air bubbles to flow between opposite sides of a plate as a liquid-filled phantom is rotated.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sample container having an elongated transverse cross-section is held in a predetermined azimuthal orientation in an NMR probe by keying-in a sample container holder into a matching azimuthal-alignment adapter. The azimuthal-alignment adapter may be a lead-in adapter having an azimuthally-sloping upper guiding surface of a cylindrical shell part, with the sloping guiding surface leading into a longitudinal channel defined through the shell wall. A transversely-protruding pin of the sample container holder slides down the guiding surface and into the longitudinal channel to lock the sample in the desired azimuthal orientation.

Abstract: An axial sample conveyer for transferring samples into an analysis device such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe of an NMR spectrometer includes an auger having a helical thread for axially constraining the samples, and a plurality of guides facing the auger for laterally constraining the samples to follow a linear axial path as the auger is rotated. Samples are inserted into the conveyer through plural input apertures. The samples abut the helical thread of the auger, and are moved through the conveyer as the auger is rotated about its axis. The samples exit the conveyer through corresponding output apertures aligned with the input apertures. Each guide extends between an input aperture and an output aperture.

Abstract: An axial sample conveyer for transferring samples into an analysis device such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe of an NMR spectrometer includes an auger having a helical thread for axially constraining the samples, and a plurality of guides facing the auger for laterally constraining the samples to follow a linear axial path as the auger is rotated. Samples are inserted into the conveyer through plural input apertures. The samples abut the helical thread of the auger, and are moved through the conveyer as the auger is rotated about its axis. The samples exit the conveyer through corresponding output apertures aligned with the input apertures. Each guide extends between an input aperture and an output aperture.

Abstract: An NMR probe includes a locking collar which is adapted to engage a magnet flange fixed to the NMR magnet. The probe can be removed and reinserted to the same location and orientation.