Contrast Agent Analyzer

TD-NMR Contrast Agent Analysis

The minispec Contrast Agent Analyzer is used to study the effect of pharmaceuticals known as “MRI contrast agents” on the NMR relaxation of protons in water or fat. Contrast agents are used to enhance contrast in Magnetic Resonance images between tissues that otherwise would be difficult to differentiate. These are especially soft tissue of the central nervous, digestive, lymphatic and cardiovascular system, liver, breast and lung.
Design of a successful contrast agent requires conflicting pharmaceutical and MRI properties to be met at once: although metal ions like Mn2+ and Gd3+ may lead to a very good contrast enhancement, they need to be chelated because the applied concentrations of the ‘naked ions‘ are toxic.
The minispec mq-series of bench-top NMR instruments play a key role in characterizing and validating the properties of contrast agents. The task is to examine the T1 and T2 relaxation time shortening of fat and water protons by contrast agents. The fat and water protons are predominantly responsible for the MR image.

Contrast Agent Analyzers:

• mq60 - for relaxation time analyses near the field of a 1.5 T Clinical MRI system
• mq40 - for relaxation time analyses near the field of a 1.0 T Clinical MRI system
• mq20 - for relaxation time analyses near the field of a 0.5 T Clinical MRI system
• mq10 - for measurement of relaxation time parameters at 0.23 T
• mq7.5 - for measurement of relaxation time parameters at 0.17 T

• „Win expensive MRI time
• Operates all common pulse sequences for T1, T2 relaxation time analysis, at a touch of a button
• Easy siting, benchtop, no high and radio frequency shielding required
• Cryogen free permanent magnet
• Simple sample handling and measurement
• Attractive price compared to MRI systems
• Only little amount of expensive contrast agent required

Console with Broadband RF Electronics:

• Measuring frequency: 2 to 65 MHz
• Modulator: 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° RF phase channels with an accuracy better than 0.2°
  
• Transmitter: maximum power 300
• Watts, linear power attenuation Receiver: digital phase sensitive detection via quadrature detection; analogue and digital filters Pulse
  
• Programmer: 12 pulse channels, resolution 20 nsec; Digitizer: 12-bit, 32K points per single shot

Magnet Unit:

• Fields available: 0.17 T, 0.23 T, 0.47 T, 0.94 T, and 1.41 T

Probe Temperature Options

• Fixed Temperature: Sample chamber temperature is regulated by magnet heating system at a temperature fixed between 35 and 45 °C
  
• Variable Sample Temperature, + 5 to + 50 °C (mq40, mq60), - 5 to + 65 °C (mq20) Information about a broader temperature range on request

System Requirements

• Footprint: 75 x 65 cm (WxD)
  
• System Weight: ~ 120 kg depending on magnetic field
• Operating Temperature: 18 °C min., 28 °C max.
  
• Humidity: 20 - 80%, non-condensing
  
• Voltage Range: 100 - 240 VAC Frequency Range: 50 - 60 Hz.
  

Options

• Automation: Autosampler for unattended operation for more than 100 prepared samples. Barcode reader for sample tracking.