TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to micro-magnetic resonance system. The subject matter disclosed herein also relates to managing analysis data generated in the micro-magnetic resonance system.

BACKGROUND

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used in healthcare, chemical analysis and geology. In many cases, MRI instruments are large, expensive and cumbersome to operate. The reason MRI instruments are large is that most are operated based on very high magnetic fields produced by superconducting electromagnets, which require liquid helium cryostats. The high magnetic field is needed to produce a large nuclear polarization within the sample and, to generate a large nuclear precession frequency that can then be measured via inductive detection with a coil. Since, inductive detection is sensitive to the time derivative of the magnetic flux through the coil, high sensitivity is achieved only at high frequencies (high magnetic field) and also due to the fact that they need to scan bigger objects for example human beings.

The technology is related to NMR and may be used for detection of labeled targets. The NMR device comprises a microcoil, a micro-fluidic conduit disposed proximate to the microcoil, wherein the micro-fluidic conduit is in fluid communication with a sample reservoir, an affinity column in fluid communication with the micro-fluidic conduit and the sample reservoir and a connector for connecting the module to a magnetic resonance detector. The microcoil is energized at a frequency that permits detection of a magnetic resonance within the sample fluid. A signal received from the microcoil is processed to differentially detect the presence of any analyte, for example, small molecules, DNA, RNA, proteins, carbohydrates, organisms, and pathogens (e.g. viruses).

A microfluidic device for NMR and MR imaging, includes a microfluidic channel, an alkali vapor cell positioned adjacent to a section of the microfluidic channel and an imaging device. Small magnetic fields in the vicinity of the vapor cell are measured by probing the spin precession in the small magnetic field. This is used to detect the magnetic field of encoded analyte in the adjacent microfluidic channel. The magnetism in the microfluidic channel can be modulated by applying an appropriate series of radio and/or audio frequency pulses upstream from the microfluidic chip (the remote detection modality) to yield a sensitive means of detecting NMR and MRI.

The analytical information and results gathered from these NMR systems may require further diagnosis and hence need to be transferred to external diagnostic systems that may be remotely located. The data is usually transferred into storage devices such as CD, DVD, and flash drive by a user, and then transported to the remote location. Further in other instances the data may be transferred to the remote location as printed materials. Thus transferring of such data remains cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover these NMR systems may be subjected to interferences such as radio frequency interferences that affect the analytics performed in the system.

Hence, there exists a need for a magnetic resonance system for performing the analysis of at least one fluid sample and convenient management of analysis data.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a micro-magnetic resonance system includes a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit configured to receive a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles and to analyze the mixture to generate analysis data, an interference shield disposed around the micro-nuclear MR unit, an interface unit coupled to the micro-nuclear MR unit and configured to receive the analysis data and to process the analysis data to generate processed analysis data, and a data storage system coupled to the interface unit and configured to receive the processed analysis data from the interface unit and to store the processed analysis data.

In accordance with another embodiment, an interface unit for managing analysis data generated in a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit includes a data processor configured to receive analysis data from a micro-nuclear MR unit, the analysis data associated with an analysis performed by the micro-nuclear MR unit on a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles, and process the analysis data to generate processed analysis data, and a communicator coupled to the data processor, the communicator configured to communicate the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of managing analysis data generated in a micro-magnetic resonance system includes receiving analysis data from a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit, the analysis data associated with an analysis performed by the micro-nuclear MR unit on a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles, processing the analysis data in an interface unit to generate processed analysis data, and communicating the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles using a micro-magnetic resonance (MR) system includes receiving the mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles in a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit in the micro-magnetic resonance system, analyzing the mixture to detect at least one of cell and analytes in the mixture, communicating analysis data generated during the analysis to an interface unit coupled to the micro-nuclear MR unit, processing the analysis data in the interface unit to generate processed analysis data, and communicating the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective exploded view of a micro-magnetic resonance unit in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a flow diagram of a method for analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a micro-magnetic resonance system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of an interface unit for managing analysis data of a micro-nuclear MR unit in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 5 is an exemplary environment for an interface unit manage analysis data generated in a micro-nuclear MR unit in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of managing analysis data in a micro-magnetic resonance unit in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGURE 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of processing the analysis data in the interface unit in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIGURE 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles using a micro-magnetic resonance system in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective exploded view of a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit for analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles in accordance with an embodiment. The micro-nuclear MR unit 102 is configured to receive a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles. The at least one fluid sample may include for example, blood, sputum or any body fluids and fine needle aspirates (FNA). Moreover, other fluid samples may be analyzed and the fluid sample may vary depending on the application such as petroleum and gas applications. The fluid samples in this case may be, for example, oil, water and gas. The mixture is analyzed to detect presence of target cells or target analytes. The analytes may include small molecules, specific DNA, RNA, protein, carbohydrates, organisms, viral material or pathogens. The cells may include bacteria, and tumor cells. The nanoparticles may include but not limited to magnetic and super paramagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are used in diagnostic magnetic resonance applications where they act as proximity sensors that modulate the spin-spin relaxation time of neighboring molecules which can be measured using MRI scanners and other NMR relaxometers. The nanoparticles are physically and chemically stable, biocompatible, and environmentally safe. The nanoparticles used may include for example, cross-linked iron oxide (CLIO) nanoparticles, aminated CLIO (amino-CLIO) nanoparticles, manganese-doped iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, and elemental iron core/ferrite shell nanoparticles. The application of these magnetic nanoparticles in nuclear magnetic resonance technique is described in detail in the publication "Magnetic Nanoparticle Biosensors", authored by Jered B. Haun, Tae-Jong Yoon, Hakho Lee and Ralph Weissleder and published by John Wiley and Sons Inc. When the nanoparticles are subjected to a magnetic field in a micro-nuclear MR unit such as the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 they are magnetized. The magnetic moments of the nanoparticles align to the magnetic field lines and create a magnetic flux. Each nanoparticle produces a magnetic dipole that results in formation of a magnetic field gradient. The magnetic field gradient generates an inhomogeneity in a magnetic field that changes the precession frequency of nuclear spins of neighboring protons in the molecules. This results in a change in magnetic resonance signal that can be measured by a magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The magnetic resonance signals measured may be considered as shortening of a longitudinal or spin-lattice relaxation time T/, and transverse or spin-spin relaxation time T2. The magnetic relaxation properties of the nanoparticles are dependent on particle relaxivity, and aggregation of nanoparticles as clusters which enhances the transverse relaxation rate {R2 = 1/ Ti).

The nanoparticles used may be dependent on the cells and analytes in the mixture that need to be detected. The nanoparticles (e.g. magnetic nanoparticles) bind with target binding sites in the cells and analytes and stimulate a change in proton relaxation rate by employing two modes of procedures. The first procedure involves tagging structures such as cells and a washing step to remove unbound nanoparticles. Whereas in the second procedure a magnetic relaxation switching methodology may be used. In this methodology the target molecules are used to assemble the nanoparticles into clusters and thus affect a change in the bulk spin-spin relaxation time of the target molecules. The clusters are formed by crosslinking nanoparticles using target bridges built by the target molecules. The crosslinking may be achieved by, for example, covalent bonding, non-covalent bonding or other bonding. This crosslinking ensures that the nanoparticles are placed in close proximity to promote relaxation switching. This procedure may not require removal of unbound nanoparticles. Further, the nanoparticles may also act as cell surface markers providing a magnetic moment to the target cell. The magnetic moment may be dependent on a number of the nanoparticles bound to the target cell. The excess nanoparticles that are unbound may need to be removed prior to measuring a spin-spin or transverse relaxation time T2.

In order for the nanoparticles to bind to their target cells or analytes, the nanoparticles may be labelled or conjugated to targeting moieties which are specific for the target cell or analyte. The nature and structure of the moiety will depend on the nature of the target to be detected. Examples of such moieties include: an antibody that recognize and binds a target moiety on the target antigen or cell; an oligonucleotide or DNA sequence complementary to a DNA- or RNA-target; a DNA- or RNA-aptamer that binds to a target protein, bacteria, virus, yeast or fungus; a protein or peptide that binds to a target protein, bacteria, virus, yeast or fungus; a peptide comprising unnatural amino acids which may possess enhanced binding to a target and/or possess improved environmental stability; a small molecule or combination of small molecules that can bind to a target.

The micro-nuclear MR unit 102 includes a magnet 104, a micro-MR probe 106, a casing 108 and a control unit 110. The micro-nuclear MR unit 102 may be an integrated and portable device used for performing analysis of the mixture. The micro-nuclear MR unit 102 may have a reduced size because of the integration of miniaturized NMR system components such as the magnet 104, the micro-MR probe 106, the casing 108 and the control unit 110. The magnet 104 may be a permanent magnet or a portable permanent magnet. In an embodiment the magnet 104 may be an assembly of a plurality of magnets to produce a higher magnetic field. The magnet 104 may be positioned around the micro-MR probe 106. In an embodiment the magnet 104 may include a pathway 112 through which the micro-MR probe 106 can be disposed to position the magnet 104 around the micro-MR probe 106. However it may be contemplated that the magnet 104 may have any other configuration to be positioned around or adjacent to the micro-NMR probe 106. The micro-MR probe 106 may be fabricated by positioning a micro-coil 114 around a micro-fluidic conduit 116. The micro-coil 114 may be a micro-coil or an array of multiple micro-coils such as, solenoid coils. For example the micro-coil 114 may be fabricated by wrapping a fine copper wire around a polyethylene tube and subsequently immersed in a polymer material such as, polydimethylsiloxane. The micro-MR probe 106 may be in a miniaturized form so may represent as a micro-MR chip. The micro-nuclear MR unit 102 comprises a high-stability permanent magnet in combination with the micro-MR coil(s) having an inner diameter in the range of 20-500 micron to increase the sensitivity of NMR detection by several orders of magnitude as compared to table-top spectrometers. It may be envisioned that micro-coils having other configurations may be used in the micro-NMR probe 106. The micro-fluidic conduit 116 is configured to receive a container 118 there within. The at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles may be introduced into the container 118. The at least one fluid sample is mixed with the magnetic nanoparticles to form a mixture 120 inside the micro-fluidic conduit 116. The micro-fluidic conduit 116 provides vital functions in the sensing process, including handling of fluid samples, reproducible mixing of magnetic nanoparticles with samples, distribution of aliquots to different coil for parallel sensing and confining samples to the most sensitive region of a given micro-coil.

The magnet 104 creates a magnetic field around the micro-MR probe 106. Cluster of the nanoparticles with the cells and analytes are formed. The detection of the presence of e.g. a target cell in a fluid sample is due to the phenomenon of T2 (i.e. spin-spin relaxation time) changes from a base analyte (i.e. unreacted nanoparticle) to that when the fluid sample contains the specific target (after nanoparticle analyte reaction is completed). Basically after an excitation pulse, the transverse magnetization observed later decays in a characteristic exponential "free induction decay" (FID) at a rate that is usually termed as "R2" is measured. This includes a combination of spin-spin relaxation as well as relaxation due to the presence of magnetic field in-homogeneities. When a bunch of refocusing pulses is added following a single excitation pulse, "spin echoes" are obtained. These spin echoes decay at a much slower exponential rate, termed as R2 (spin-spin relaxation rate).

The base analyte basically includes un-clustered nanoparticles that have been activated with a specific agent that binds to the target cell or target analyte (e.g. a biomarker molecule). In the target cell case, these nanoparticles bind to binding sites on the cell membrane of the cell, thereby clustering within close quarters of each other. This clustering causes a shortening of T2 (=1/R2), thereby increasing the relaxation rate R2. Then the micro-coil 114 is excited through the control unit 110 for a predefined time to generate signals for example radio frequency (RF) signals and transmitted to the mixture. The mixture then generates NMR signals that decay with the changed relaxation rate. Thus this relaxation rate change is used for detecting the presence of the target cell and/or the target analytes in the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles as explained above. The use of high relaxivity nanoparticles allows for detection of extremely small number of target cells in the fluid sample, making the test a very sensitive one. The detected presence of the target cell and the target analytes in the mixture is recorded.

The NMR signals include analysis data associated with the mixture. The NMR signals are measured by the control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes a micro¬controller 122 that controls the overall operation of all the components of the control unit 110. The micro-controller 122 processes data received at the control unit 110 and communicates with external terminals for data transfer and user control. The RF signals required for transmission to the mixture are generated by a generator 124 (i.e. a RF generator) based on instructions from the micro-controller 122. The RF signals are then transmitted by a transceiver 126 such as a RF transceiver. The RF signals may be modulated using voltage controller switches present in the transceiver 126 to transmit pulse sequences for measuring the NMR signals. The NMR signals are received in the transceiver 126 and are processed for heterodyne detection. The process of heterodyne detection involves amplification at a low-noise amplifier followed by frequency down conversion to audio frequencies by a mixer. Thereafter the down converted signals are conditioned by a low-pass filter and an amplifier. These down converted signals are sent to a data acquisition unit 128 for digitization. The data acquisition unit 128 includes an analog to digital converter (ADC). The ADC further converts the signal into digitized signals and thus the resultant obtained from the ADC is stored. The micro-controller 122 processes the digitized signals to obtain the analysis data and transfers to the external terminals such as a computing device. In an embodiment the control unit 110 may be integrated in an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip may be configured to support NMR measurements when there are low NMR signal levels from small fluid samples and during fast decay of signals due to an inhomogeneity caused by the magnet 104.

Further the casing 108 of the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 is used to cover the magnet 104, and the micro-MR probe 106 to protect these components from exposure to external environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for analyzing the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles in accordance with an embodiment. The at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles are introduced into a container at block 200. The container is received within a micro-MR probe of a micro-nuclear MR unit. In the container the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles are mixed at block 202. A magnet positioned proximal to the micro-MR probe is then used to create a magnetic field around the micro-MR probe holding the container at block 204. The clusters of nanoparticles are formed upon binding with the cells and analytes in the at least one fluid sample at block 206. A microcoil is then excited through a control unit for generating RF signals. These RF signals are transmitted to the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles at block 208. Then a spin-spin relaxation rate is measured to detect the present of target cells and/or target analytes in the mixture at block 210. The detected presence of the target cells and/or the target analytes is then recorded at block 212 and later used.

The analysis performed in a micro-nuclear MR unit may be preliminary in nature and include but are not limited to tuberculosis analysis, molecular and cellular screening.

These analysis data may need to be stored in a location for future use and retrieved for further examination or combined with other test results and/or data. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a micro-magnetic resonance system including the micro-nuclear MR unit communicating with an interface unit in accordance with an embodiment. The analysis data obtained is received by an interface unit 302. The interface unit 302 may communicate with the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 over a network such as a wired or a wireless network. The wireless network may include but are not limited to, a Bluetooth® wireless network and a Wi-Fi® network. In another instance the analysis data may be transferred to the interface unit 302 using a universal serial bus. The interface unit 302 may be configured to process the analysis data. The analysis data received through the NMR signals may be raw digitized data associated with analysis test performed on the mixture of at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles. The interface unit 302 processes the analysis data so as to present them to a user of the interface unit 302. The analysis data is processed to display the analysis data to a user. The user may be for example a medical expert, a doctor and an analyst associated with different applications. In an embodiment the analysis data may be displayed in the form of such as blood lipid profile, presence of various biological targets or molecules in the blood sample, analysis of nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, and study of structure of different biological molecules. The analysis data may be displayed in the form of but not limited to digital values and graphs. Moreover the analysis data may be processed by the interface unit 302 into a universal or standard or compatible form so that the analysis data can be integrated into other information systems.

In an embodiment the interface unit 302 may be configured to process analysis data related to other applications including, but not limited to, measurement of rock porosity, permeability of rock pores and identification of fluid samples in these rock pores (i.e. fluid samples) such as, water, oil and gas. In this instance subjects associated with these fluid samples may be defined appropriately based on the applications such as, petroleum and natural gas.

The processed analysis data is then transferred to a data storage system 304. The interface unit 302 communicates with the data storage system 304 over a network. The network may be a wired or a wireless network. The wireless network may include for example but not limited to, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Wide Local Area Network (WLAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (Wireless MAN), and a cellular or a mobile network. The data storage system 304 receives and stores the processed analysis data. The processed analysis data may be then retrieved based on need. In another instance the processed analysis data may be transferred to another computing device for further examination to conduct other medical diagnostic tests. This is explained in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates the interface unit for managing the analysis data of a micro-nuclear MR unit in accordance with an embodiment. The interface unit 302 may be configured in a user device such as but not limited to, a mobile device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a personal computer. In an embodiment the interface unit 302 may be an application operating in the user device. The interface unit 302 includes a data processor 306 configured to receive the analysis data from the micro-nuclear MR unit 102. The analysis data may be associated with different subjects (e.g. patients). The analysis data is generated in response to analysis performed on the mixture of at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles of different subjects in the micro-nuclear MR unit 102. The data processor 306 may be configured to control the analysis performed in the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 based on user inputs. The data processor 306 may be configured to process the analysis data to display the analysis data to a user through a user interface 308. The user may be for example a medical expert, a doctor and an analyst associated with different applications. In an embodiment the analysis data may be displayed in the form of such as blood lipid profile, presence of various biological targets or molecules in the blood sample, analysis of nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, and study of structure of different biological molecules. The analysis data may be displayed in the form of but not limited to digital values and graphs. In an embodiment the data processor 306 may be configured to process analysis data related to other applications including, but not limited to, measurement of rock porosity, permeability of rock pores and identification of fluid samples in these rock pores (i.e. fluid samples) such as, water, oil and gas. In this instance subjects associated with these fluid samples may be defined appropriately based on the applications such as, petroleum and natural gas. The data processor 306 processes the analysis data received from the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 (shown in FIGs. 1 and 3) and subsequently present the processed analysis data related to the fluid samples from the rock pores in different forms such as, graphs and digital values through the user interface 308. In an embodiment the user interface 308 may enable the user to make selection and change to the amount of processed analysis data that may be presented.

As mentioned previously the analysis data may be received from different subjects and hence relationship between the analysis data and subjects may need to be established. To this end the data processor 306 maps the processed analysis data with a subject from whom the fluid samples are obtained. The mapping is performed to define the relationship between the processed analysis data and the subject. The subject's information may be received by the data processor 306 initially when the fluid sample is received within the micro-nuclear MR unit 102. The subject's information for example patient's information may include but are not limited to, personal details, type of disease, health history and other patient demographic details. In another instance when the subject is a gas or oil or water then the subject's information may include such as, location of source, geographic information of the location, and history of the location.

In an embodiment the interface unit 302 receives the subject's information. The subject's information may be input through the user interface 308 by a technician or a laboratory analyst performing the analysis in the micro-nuclear MR unit 102 (shown in FIGs. 1 and 3). Once the subject's information is received, then the data processor 306 appends the subject's information to the processed analysis data associated with the at least one fluid sample of the subject. The subject's information may be appended automatically and in another instance based on user input. The processed analysis data and the appended subject's information may be stored in a memory 310 of the interface unit 302. In another embodiment, the subject's information and the processed analysis data may be stored separately. A mapping table may be present or stored in this case indicating a relationship between the processed analysis data and the subject's information. In an embodiment the processed analysis data and the subject's information may be encrypted. The encryption may be performed using any encryption techniques known in the art. In a scenario a portion of the processed analysis data and the subject's information may be encrypted.

A communicator 312 may be present to communicate or transmit the processed analysis data (for example, the analysis data with the appended subject's information) to a data storage system such as the data storage system 304 over a network. The communicator 312 may include a transmitter and a receiver for performing the transmission and reception of data. The receiver may be configured to receive the analysis data from the micro-nuclear MR unit 102. However it may be contemplated that the communicator 312 may have any other configuration suitable for transmission and reception of data.

Referring now to an exemplary environment 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein an interface unit may function for managing the analysis data generated in the micro-nuclear MR unit in accordance with an embodiment. The interface unit 502 may be configured in a mobile device 504 communicably connected to the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. The mobile device 504 may be a PDA, a smart phone or any other devices. The micro-nuclear MR unit 506 includes an opening 508 of the micro-fluidic conduit 116 configured to receive the container holding the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles. The micro-nuclear MR unit 506 analyzes the mixture. Once the analysis is conducted, the analysis data is communicated to the interface unit 502 in the mobile device 504 by a transceiver 510 in the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. The micro-nuclear MR unit 506 may be subjected to different external interferences such as radio frequency (RF) interferences and thus the analysis data generated may be error prone. Hence an interference shield 512 may be disposed around the micro-nuclear MR unit 506 to shield the interferences incident on the unit. The interference shield 512 act as a "faraday's cage" provided externally and may assist in overcoming electromagnetic interference due to the low-power radio frequency signals transmitted and received. In an embodiment the interference shield 512 may be a box covering that encloses the micro-nuclear MR unit there within. For example the interference shield 512 may be configured to enclose a magnet, and a micro-MR probe of the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. The interference shield 512 may be a metallic shield for example a copper shield, an aluminum shield, a Mu-metal shield, permalloy shield, and nano-crystalline grain structure ferromagnetic metal shield. However it may be contemplated that interference shield 512 may be composed of other known materials capable of shielding different kinds of interferences. For instance, the interference shield 512 also facilitates in avoiding the exposure of components in the micro-nuclear MR unit 506 to dust and other foreign particles. The interface shield 512 may have any other structure or configuration convenient for shielding the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. In an embodiment the interference shield 512 having a box shape configuration may have a size of 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 5 cm (i.e. Length x Breadth x Width).

Subsequently the interface unit 502 processes the analysis data and displays the processed analysis data through the user interface 514. The interface unit 502 may also map the processed analysis data with a subject of the analysis data. Thereafter the processed analysis data may be transferred to a data storage system 516 for storage. The stored data may be retrieved when needed by the user based on the user input received in the mobile device 504. The processed analysis data may be accessed through any other computing device capable of communicating with the data storage system 516. In another instance the processed analysis data may be communicated from the mobile device 504 to a computing device 518 for further analysis. The processed analysis data may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the computing device 518. The computing device 518 may be located in a laboratory where more detailed analysis may be performed.

For example a user may use the micro-nuclear MR unit 506 for analyzing the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles in a location 520. The mixture may be collected from a subject whose health needs to be analyzed. Analysis data associated with the analysis performed may be sent to the mobile device 504 of the user. The analysis data may be transmitted over a connection between the mobile device 504 and the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. The connection may be a Wi-Fi® or a Bluetooth® connection and hence the mobile device 504 may be positioned proximal to the micro-nuclear MR unit 506. The interface unit 502 in the mobile device 504 may process the analysis data and display the processed analysis data to the user. The processed analysis data may be displayed through the user interface 514 provided. The interface unit 502 appends subject's information with the processed analysis data and communicates to the data storage system 516 in a location 522 in real-time. The subject's information acts as a metadata appended to the processed analysis data. Thus the metadata may include for example patient's information such as, but not limited to, personal details, type of disease, health history and other patient demographic details. The processed analysis data may be transferred over a network 524 such as a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Wide Local Area Network (WLAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (Wireless MAN), and a cellular or a mobile network. The processed analysis data may be later transferred based on user input received through the interface unit 502. The user input may be submitted by the user through the user interface 514. In an embodiment the interface unit 502 may also enable the user to retrieve the processed analysis data from the data storage system 516.

The interface unit 502 may also be configured to transmit the processed analysis data to a computing device 526 present in a location 528 in real-time. The transmission of data may be performed in response to receiving user instructions through the mobile device 504. The computing device 526 may perform detailed analysis on the processed analysis data. In an exemplary embodiment the interface unit 502 may be configured to receive the detailed analysis and present to the user in the location 520. Thus the interface unit 502 facilitates the user to transfer the processed analysis data conveniently from the location 520 to the location 522 that is remotely located. So preliminary processing of the analysis data may be performed locally in the field by the user using the mobile device 504 and the micro-nuclear MR unit 506, and then later transferred to a remote location where the processed analysis data may be stored or further analyzed in a laboratory.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of managing analysis data in a micro-magnetic resonance unit in accordance with an embodiment. The analysis data is generated when a mixture of the at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles of different subjects are analyzed in a micro-nuclear MR unit. The analysis data may be transmitted to an interface unit communicably connected to the micro-nuclear MR unit. The interface unit receives the analysis data at block 600.

The interface unit then processes the analysis data at block 602. The analysis data may be processed and presented or displayed to a user. The user may be for example a medical expert, a doctor and an analyst associated with different applications. For example the interface unit may provide a user interface in a user device through which the processed analysis data may be displayed. The processed analysis data may be communicated to a data storage system for storage and retrieval at block 604. The data storage system may be remotely located for example in a laboratory. In an instance the processed analysis data stored may be retrieved based on user input received through the interface unit in the user device. The user input may be sent as instructions to the data storage system. The processed analysis data may be retrieved by any other computing device that may be configured to perform more analysis using the processed analysis data for conducting detailed analysis of the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of processing the analysis data in the interface unit in accordance with an embodiment. The analysis data received from the micro-nuclear MR unit is processed in the interface unit at block 700 to generate the processed analysis data. The processed analysis data is presented or displayed to the user at block 702. The analysis data may be processed in real-time. More specifically the analysis data may be received from the micro-nuclear MR unit and processing may be performed in the interface unit and presented or displayed to the user through the user device. This enables the user to view the analysis results conveniently in real-time when the analysis of the at least one fluid sample is conducted. In an embodiment the analysis data is processed such that to present the analysis data in form of blood lipid profile, presence of various biological targets or molecules in the blood sample, analysis of nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, and study of structure of different biological molecules. The processed analysis data displayed may be associated with other applications and thus may include but not limited to measurement of rock porosity, permeability of rock pores and identification of pore fluids (i.e. fluid samples) such as, water, oil and gas. In this instance subjects associated with these fluid samples may be defined appropriately based on the applications such as petroleum and natural gas. The processed analysis data may be displayed in different formats such as, graphs and digital or analog readings through the user device.

Moreover the processed analysis data may be mapped with a subject associated with the analysis data at block 704. The fluid sample may be obtained from the subject. The mapping is performed to define the relationship between the processed analysis data and the subject. The subject's information may be received through the interface unit when the at least one fluid sample is received within the micro-nuclear MR unit. The subject's information for example patient's information may include but are not limited to', personal details, type of disease, health history and other patient demographic details. In another instance when the subject is gas or oil or water then the subject's information may include such as, location of source, geographic information of the location, and history of the location.

The subject's information may be received through the interface unit. For example the subject's information may be input through the user device by a technician or a laboratory analyst performing the analysis in the micro-nuclear MR unit. The subject's information received may be appended to the processed analysis data associated with the at least one fluid sample of the subject. The subject's information may be appended automatically. In another instance the subject's information may be appended based on user input. In another embodiment, the subject's information and the processed analysis data may be stored separately. A mapping table may be present or stored in this case indicating a relationship between the processed analysis data and the subject's information. The processed analysis data and the subject's information may be encrypted. The encryption may be performed using any techniques known in the art. In an embodiment a portion of the processed analysis data and the subject's information may be encrypted. The processed analysis data and the subject's information may be stored in the user device for future use.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles using a micro-magnetic resonance system in accordance with an embodiment. A micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit of the micro-magnetic resonance system receives the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles at block 800. The mixture is formed in a container that may be received within a micro-fluidic conduit of the micro-nuclear MR unit. The mixture is then analyzed by the micro-nuclear MR unit to detect at least one cell and analytes in the mixture at block 802.

The analysis data generated by the analysis performed on the mixture may be communicated to an interface unit communicably connected to the micro-nuclear MR unit at block 804. The interface unit receives the analysis data and then processes the analysis data at block 806. The analysis data may be processed, and then presented or displayed to a user. The user may be for example a medical expert, a doctor and an analyst associated with different applications. For example the interface unit may provide a user interface in a user device through which the processed analysis data may be displayed. The processed analysis data may be communicated to a data storage system for storage and retrieval at block 808. The data storage system may be remotely located for example in a laboratory. In an instance the processed analysis data stored may be retrieved based on user input received through the interface unit in the user device. The user input may be sent as instructions to the data storage system. The processed analysis data may be collected by any other computing device communicably connected to the data storage system. The computing device may be configured to perform more analysis using the processed analysis data for conducting detailed analysis of the mixture of the at least one fluid sample and the nanoparticles.

The methods described with respect to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be performed using a processor or any other processing device. The method steps can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The tangible computer readable medium may be for example a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), any other computer readable storage medium and any storage media. Although the method of managing the analysis data generated in a micro-nuclear MR unit is explained with reference to the flow chart of FIGs 6, 7 and 8, other methods of implementing the method can be employed. For example, the order of execution of each method steps may be changed, and/or some of the method steps described may be changed, eliminated, divide or combined. Further the method steps may be sequentially or simultaneously executed for managing the analysis data generated in a micro-nuclear MR unit.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

We Claim:

1. A micro-magnetic resonance system comprising:

a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit configured to receive a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles and to analyze the mixture to generate analysis data;

a interference shield disposed around the micro-nuclear MR unit;

an interface unit coupled to the micro-nuclear MR unit and configured to receive the analysis data and to process the analysis data to generate processed analysis data; and

a data storage system coupled to the interface unit and configured to receive the processed analysis data from the interface unit and to store the processed analysis data.

2. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface unit is disposed in a mobile device.

3. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface unit and the micro-nuclear MR unit communicate over a wireless network.

4. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface unit and the micro-nuclear MR unit communicate over a wired network.

5. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface unit is configured to:

generate the processed analysis data in real-time; display the processed analysis data to the user; and

map the processed analysis data to a subject associated with the at least one fluid sample.

6. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processed analysis data is mapped to the subject by appending a metadata associated with the subject to the processed analysis data.

7. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface unit communicates with the data storage system over a wireless network.

8. The micro-magnetic resonance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface unit communicates with the data storage system over a wired network.

9. An interface unit for managing analysis data generated in a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit, the interface unit comprising:

a data processor configured to:

receive analysis data from a micro-nuclear MR unit, the analysis data associated with an analysis performed by the micro-nuclear MR unit on a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles; and

process the analysis data to generate processed analysis data; and a communicator coupled to the data processor, the communicator configured to communicate the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

10. The interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate over a wireless network.

11. The interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate over a wired network.

12. The interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data processor is further configured to:

process the analysis data associated with the mixture in real-time; display the processed analysis data in real-time to a user; and

map the processed analysis data with a subject associated with the at least one fluid sample.

13. The interface unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein to map the processed analysis data with a subject the data processor is further configured to append metadata to the processed analysis data, wherein the metadata represents a relationship between the subject and the at least one fluid sample.

14. The interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the interface unit is disposed in a mobile device.

15. The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface unit communicates with the data storage system over a wireless network.

16. The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface unit communicates with the data storage system over a wired network.

17. A method of managing analysis data generated in a micro-magnetic resonance system, the method comprising:

receiving analysis data from a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit, the analysis data associated with an analysis performed by the micro-nuclear MR unit on a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles ;

processing the analysis data in an interface unit to generate processed analysis data; and communicating the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein processing the analysis data in the interface unit comprises:

generating the processed analysis data associated with the mixture in real time;

displaying the processed analysis data to the user; and mapping the processed analysis data to a subject associated with the at least one fluid sample.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the processed analysis data is communicated to the data storage system over a wired network.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the processed analysis data is communicated to the data storage system over a wireless network.

21. A method of analyzing a mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles using a micro-magnetic resonance (MR) system, the method comprising:

receiving the mixture of at least one fluid sample and nanoparticles in a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) unit in the micro-magnetic resonance system;

analyzing the mixture to detect at least one of cell and analytes in the mixture;

communicating analysis data generated during the analysis to an interface unit coupled to the micro-nuclear MR unit;

processing the analysis data in the interface unit to generate processed analysis data; and communicating the processed analysis data to a data storage system.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein processing the analysis data in the interface unit comprises:

processing the analysis data in real-time; displaying the processed analysis data; and

mapping the processed analysis data to a subject associated with the at least one fluid sample and the analysis data.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the processed analysis data is communicated to the data storage system over a wired network.

24. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the processed analysis data is communicated to the data storage system over a wireless network.