I-Corps: Assessment of metabolic health using a nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry device

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种使用核磁共振弛豫测量设备的非侵入性技术，为医疗，健康和健身专业人士提供有关客户代谢健康的即时反馈。这种反馈使得能够定期评估推荐的营养和/或运动方案的有效性。 通过获得和使用NMR弛豫数据，个人可以有一种方式来可视化和理解他们的新方案是否以及如何导致他们的代谢变化。 使用这种反馈，个人可以积极影响他们的整体幸福感，并有选择对他们的生活习惯做出明智的决定。该技术为最终用户提供了一种快速、无痛地测量代谢健康的方法，无需血液样本。I-Corps项目开发了一种非侵入性、紧凑型核磁共振（NMR）时域技术，用于测量人手指脂肪组织中脂肪酸的流动性。 该装置在台式装置中使用低场永磁体，并使用NMR弛豫法测量参数，以主要测量富含磷脂酰胆碱的细胞内油滴。 组织中脂质和脂蛋白的流动性是理解物理性质和生物功能的重要参数。 该技术量化脂肪组织参数，反映组织中顺式不饱和脂肪与饱和脂肪和反式脂肪的比例。 人口研究表明，摄入更多的顺式不饱和脂肪酸与更好的健康结果和降低冠心病的风险有关。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is to develop a non-invasive technique using a nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry device to provide medical, health, and fitness professionals with instant feedback on the metabolic health of their clients. This feedback enables regular assessment of the effectiveness of recommended nutrition and/or exercise regimens. By obtaining and using the NMR relaxometry data, individuals may have a way to visualize and understand if and how their new regimens result in changes to their metabolism. Using this feedback, individuals can positively impact their overall well-being and have options to make informed decisions about their lifestyle habits. The technology provides end-users with a method that measures metabolic health quickly and painlessly, without a blood sample.This I-Corps project develops a non-invasive, compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) time domain technology to measure the fluidity of fatty acids in adipose tissue in a person's finger. The device uses low-field permanent magnets in a table-top device and measures parameters using NMR relaxometry to predominately measure the triglyceride-rich intracellular oil droplets. The fluidity of lipids and lipoproteins in tissues is an important parameter in understanding physical properties and biological functions. This technology quantifies adipose tissue parameters that reflect the ratio of cis-unsaturated to saturated and trans-fats in the tissue. Population studies indicate higher intake of cis-unsaturated fatty acids is associated with better health outcomes and decreased risk for coronary heart disease.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.