Abstract: Described herein relates to an apparatus and method for holding a solid state NMR rotor under vacuum gas exposure during ssMAS experiments. As such, in an embodiment, the novel gas loader cell apparatus may be miniaturized and/or formed from a material other than glass to provide ease of use, efficient use of gaseous materials, affordability, and portability. Additionally, in an embodiment, a novel forming tool may be used to form the cavity holding the rotor end cap.

Abstract: An MRI system including a main magnet defining a volume, an imaging region disposed within the volume. The main magnet is configured to produce a uniform main magnetic field within the volume, wherein the uniform magnetic field is oriented along a patient axis. The system includes a gradient magnetic coil assembly disposed within the volume and configured to generate a spatially varying magnetic field across the imaging region. The gradient magnetic coil assembly includes a first coil configured to generate a magnetic field in a first axis, a second coil configured to generate a magnetic field in a second axis, and a third coil configured to generate a magnetic field in the patient axis. The system also includes a passive gradient shield disposed between the main magnet and primary gradient magnetic coil assembly, the passive gradient shield can include a continuous cylindrical layer of high permeability, low electrical conductivity material.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet device is configured to include: a refrigerant circulation flowpath in which a refrigerant (R) circulates; a refrigerator for cooling vapor of the refrigerant (R) in the refrigerant circulation flowpath; a superconducting coil cooled by the circulating refrigerant (R); a protective resistor thermally contacting the superconducting coil and having an internal space (S); a high-boiling-point refrigerant supply section for supplying a high-boiling-point refrigerant having a higher boiling point than the refrigerant (R) and frozen by the refrigerant (R) to the internal space (S) in the protective resistor; and a vacuum insulating container for at least accommodating the refrigerant circulation flowpath, the superconducting coil, and the protective resistor.

Abstract: The invention offers a superconducting coil that has the shape of a pancake formed by winding a superconducting conductor. The superconducting conductor is composed of a tape-shaped (Bi, Pb)2223-based superconducting wire and a tape-shaped thin-film RE123-based superconducting wire that are electrically connected in parallel with each other. The coil generates only a low voltage in the steady-operation state, limits the generated voltage to a low level even in a state where an external disturbance enters for some reason, and is therefore less susceptible to quenching. Consequently, the coil can be operated stably in both states. The invention also offers a superconducting conductor to be used to form the coil.

Abstract: A superconducting high-field magnet coil system comprising several radially nested main coil sections (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) which are connected to each other in series in such a fashion that currents of the same direction flow through them during operation, wherein a first main coil section (EHS) is disposed radially further inward than a second main coil section (ZHS) and at least one intermediate main coil section (ZW) is disposed radially between the first and the second main coil section (EHS, ZHS), and with a superconducting switch (11) via which all main coil sections (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) can be superconductingly short-circuited in series, is characterized in that the first main coil section (EHS) and the second main coil section (ZHS) are directly successively series-connected and the first main coil section (EHS) and the second main coil section (ZHS) are bridged by a common quench protection element, which does not bridge the at least one intermediate main coil section (ZW).

Abstract: A cryostat (1) with a magnet coil system including superconductors for the production of a magnet field B0 in a measuring volume (3) has a plurality of radically nested solenoid-shaped coil sections (4, 5, 6) and which are electrically connected in series, at least one of which being an LTS section (5, 6) with a conventional low temperature superconductor (LTS) and at least one of which being an HTS section (4) including a high temperature superconductor (HTS), wherein the magnet coil system is located in a helium tank (9) of the cryostat (1) along with liquid helium at a helium temperature TL<4 K. The apparatus is characterized in that heating means are provided which always keep the HTS at an increased temperature TH>TL and TH>2.2 K. The cryostat in accordance with the invention can maintain the HTS section over a long period of time in a reliable manner.

Abstract: A low-cost superconducting coil which can generate a high magnetic field at comparatively high temperature is provided. The superconducting coil is formed in a pancake shape by winding a superconducting conductor that is made by electrically connecting a tape-shaped (Bi,Pb)2223 superconducting wire and a tape-shaped RE123 superconducting wire in series such that the tape-shaped (Bi,Pb)2223 superconducting wire is arranged in the outer circumferential part and the tape-shaped RE123 superconducting wire is arranged in the internal circumferential part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening compounds to identify compounds that bind to a specific target, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a target immobilized to a solid support; (b) generating a first NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support without the target molecule immobilized thereto; (c) generating a second NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support with the target molecule immobilized thereto; and (d) comparing said first and second NMR spectrum to determine differences between said first and second NMR spectrum. Further the invention relates to an NMR apparatus having arranged therein a particular NMR probe.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing mixtures of polysaccharides, for example heparin such as enoxaparin are described. In some instances, the mixtures are analyzed using 1D NMR and/or 2D NMR.

Abstract: A sample holder for fixing and transporting a sample vial (1) within an NMR configuration comprising an outer shell (4) and a continuous hollow space disposed inside the outer shell (4) and extending along its axis for receiving the sample vial, is characterized in that a clamping device that can be switched on and off and a switching element (6) are provided inside the hollow space, wherein, in the activated state, the clamping device fixes a sample vial (1) that is introduced into the sample holder, the switching element (6) can be operated from the outside, and the clamping device can be deactivated using the switching element (6) such that, in the deactivated state, the sample vial (1) inserted into- or removed from the sample holder is not fixed. Such a sample holder may be used to realize an automatic supply device for changing NMR sample vials which has a very compact structure and can be mounted using little space.

Abstract: Methods of using NMR spectroscopy for identifying ligands that bind to structurally uncharacterized proteins, and improving the binding affinity of ligands for biological targets are disclosed. One aspect of the method includes preparing first NMR spectra of a first complex comprising the biological target and a paramagnetically labeled derivative of a first ligand, preparing a second NMR spectra of a second complex comprising the biological target and a second ligand, and analyzing the spectra to determine whether the second ligand binds to the biological target within the paramagnetic zone of the paramagnetically labeled derivative. The first and second steps may be performed simultaneously, consecutively, or in any order.

Abstract: An analytical method and apparatus using principal component analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data for rapid molecular structure/function pattern recognition. The presence of a molecular substructure in an organic compound is determined by comparing principal components calculated from chemical shift values of the substructure in selected compounds with those calculated from the chemical shift values of the organic compound. Alternatively, principal components are calculated from the intensities of NMR signals for a full spectrum, or selected regions thereof, to determine whether an organic compound belongs to or is excluded from a set of structurally related compounds. Also, the presence of a pharmacophore in an organic compound can be determined by comparing the principal components derived from data on a set of compounds known to bind to a particular receptor, or have a common biological effect, with the principal components of the data set of the organic compound.

Abstract: Three-dimensional RF coils suitable for use in NMR spectroscopy or imaging are described, as well as methods for making such coils. The coil is made from a thin-walled, non-magnetic, electrically insulating tube. The tube is then masked and a first conducting layer is applied, e.g., by evaporation. An additional insulating layer is provided on top of the first conducting layer, and then a second conducting layer is applied. An optional additional insulating layer may then be applied over the second conducting layer. The first and second conducting layer, in combination, are electrically connected to form a self-resonant structure at the selected frequency of the NMR apparatus. The coil may be fine-tuned conventionally by means of a series or parallel capacitor, or by changing the position of a conductive ring around the outside of the coil. Alternately, two tubes may be used, with only one conducting layer deposited on each.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet lead assembly for a cryocooler-cooled superconducting magnet having a design current of between generally 50 and 250 amperes. A DBCO (Dysprosium Barium Copper Oxide), YBCO (Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide), or BSCCO (Bismuth Strontium Calcium Copper Oxide) superconducting lead has its ends flexibly, dielectrically, and thermally connected, one end to the generally 30 to 50 Kelvin first stage and the other end to the generally 8 to 30 Kelvin second stage of the cryocooler coldhead. The superconducting lead has a generally constant cross-sectional area along its length. The design current, the lead's length, and the lead's cross-sectional area are chosen such that the design current times the lead's length divided by the lead's cross-sectional area is between generally 720 and 880 amperes per centimeter for a DBCO or YBCO lead and is between generally 180 and 220 amperes per centimeter for a BSCCO lead. The superconducting lead will not itself precipitate a magnet quench (i.e.

Abstract: A broadband matching network for coupling a magnetic resonance probe to a preamplifier utilizes superconducting matching coils and superconducting locatable shields to detect very weak magnetic signals over a broad bandwidth. The superconducting matching coils and shields minimize signal loss in the matching amplifier. When used with a superconducting magnetic resonance probe, the circuit provides a significant broadening in bandwidth over that of the probe without loss of performance.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance probe coil is fabricated using a superconductive material for the coil. Three distinct embodiments are described: a single-layer coil with no crossovers; a dual-film coil wherein the capacitors are formed through an intermediate dielectric layer; a single-layer coil incorporating a superconducting crossover. All of the embodiments are designed to take advantage of the properties of the superconducting material to achieve very high quality factors (Q) of tens of thousands to over a million. The superconductor is patterned into a spiral design to achieve self-resonance at a desired frequency in the range of 1 to 1000 MHz and the device operates at temperatures higher than 30 K. A broadband matching network is also disclosed which, when operated in conjunction with the superconducting magnetic resonance probe coil, allows operation over a wide range of frequencies while maintaining extremely low loss.

Abstract: An RF magnetic flux measuring circuit uses a SQUID fluxmeter of which the input and output characteristics establish a periodic function, and in which a pick-up coil for picking up desired RF magnetic flux and an input coil of the SQUID fluxmeter are connected to form a closed loop which is a superconducting loop for transferring the magnetic flux to the SQUID. There is also provided an inductance adjusting device which adjusts the inductance of the superconducting loop to limit the magnetic flux that crosses the SQUID fluxmeter within a range of a single-valued function in said input and output characteristics.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus a system of concentric cylinders of superconductive material maintain an effective steady magnetic field in a measured space within the inner cylinder which field is very homogeneous and is, moreover, very constant in time without requiring a large electric power. In a particular embodiment a magnetic field cylinder produces a strong magnetic field, a stabilization cylinder within the magnetic field cylinder ensures a good homogeneity and stabilization of the effective magnetic field, while a screening cylinder provided outside the magnetic field cylinder reduces the external stray field of the system.

Abstract: An actively shielded, superconducting magnet of a nuclear magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has an inner coil system and an outer coil system connected in series to avoid an increase in the external field upon the quench of one of the coil systems. To avoid losing the protection of the shielding effect from external magnetic field disturbances, a superconducting current limiter having a low critical current-carrying capability is connected in the coil system to guide a difference current between the inner coil system and the outer coil system. To avoid an unwanted increase in the external field in the event of a quench of one of the coil systems, the current limiter becomes normally conductive in the presence of a current difference larger than a prescribed value.