Biomedical Applications of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance

描述（申请人提供）：提出一系列实验，旨在发展核四极共振（NQR）的生物医学应用。NQR类似于MRI，但不需要外部磁场。结合NQR和MRI技术可以潜在地帮助扩展医学光谱和成像的能力，超越目前磁铁要求所施加的限制。在第一阶段，将构建一个三维激励/检测装置，与传统的线性装置相比，该装置有望显著提高信噪比。该装置还可用于研究样品排序，并有助于抑制声振铃。该项目的第二阶段将致力于基于先前在赞助商实验室开发的磁场梯度技术开发NQR光谱的三维空间定位。在研究的第三部分，将获得肌肉组织的酰胺14N核的NQR信号。该过程将得到该小组目前使用的一些超灵敏采集和信号处理技术的帮助。预计NQR信号的频率取决于肌肉的紧张状态，与空间定位方法相结合，可能会在心脏医学中得到直接应用。该项目将对申请人具有巨大的教育价值，申请人将接触到许多先进的NQR技术，其中一些技术在赞助商的实验室中是独一无二的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A series of experiments is proposed, aimed at developing the biomedical application of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). NQR is similar to MRI, but requires no external magnetic field. Combining NQR and MRI technologies can potentially help expand capabilities of medical spectroscopy and imaging beyond currently existing limitations imposed by the requirement of the magnet. In the first stage, a three-dimensional excitation/detection device will be constructed, which is expected to yield significant improvements in the signal-to-noise ratio, as compared to the conventional linear devices. The device can also be used to study sample ordering and to help suppress acoustic ringing. The second phase of the project will be dedicated to the development of a three-dimensional spatial localization of the NQR spectra based on the magnetic-field gradient technique previously developed in the sponsor's laboratory. In the third part of the investigations, an NQR signal from the amide 14N nuclei of muscle tissue will be obtained. The process will be aided by a number of ultra-sensitive acquisition and signal processing techniques currently used in the group. The frequency of the NQR signal is expected to be dependent of the tension state of the muscles, which, combined with the spatial-localization methodology, may find its immediate application in cardiac medicine. The project will have tremendous educational value for the applicant, who will be exposed to many advanced NQR techniques, some of which are uniquely available in the sponsor's laboratory.