JP4397276B2 - Superconducting magnetometer and superconducting magnetometer system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus and a superconducting magnetic measurement system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a superconducting magnetic measurement system and a superconducting magnetic measurement system. The present invention relates to a superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus and a superconducting magnetism measuring system that can set measurement points with the.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a superconducting magnetic sensor in which a SQUID is arranged on a glass epoxy cylindrical block having a diameter of 20 mm and a pickup coil portion is formed on a glass epoxy cylindrical block having a diameter of 15 mm connected to the cylindrical block is known. (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1.).
Y Adachi et al, Three dimensionally configured SQUID vector gradiometers for biomagnetic measurement, SUPERCONDUCTOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 16 (2003) 1442-1446

Since the conventional superconducting magnetic sensor exemplified above has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 20 mm, the pitch at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged is larger than 20 mm, and the pitch of measurement points is larger than 20 mm as it is. However, for example, in the measurement of the biomagnetic distribution of the cervix, there is a demand to make the pitch of measurement points smaller than 20 mm.
On the other hand, if the measurement of the arrangement of a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors is made possible to move in the directions of two orthogonal axes and then moved and measured by a desired pitch, the pitch of the measurement points is made smaller than 20 mm. I can do it.
However, making the arrangement of a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors movable in the directions of two orthogonal axes has a problem that the configuration is greatly complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the number of measurements increases significantly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus capable of setting measurement points at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged while suppressing the complexity of the configuration and the increase in the number of measurements. And providing a superconducting magnetic measurement system.

In the first aspect, the present invention provides a first to Nth (Nth) array in which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in a line in the y direction by shifting the position in the y direction with respect to the superconducting magnetic sensors of adjacent sensor arrays. ≧ 2) Provided is a superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus comprising a sensor array in which sensor rows are arranged in the x direction and a moving means for moving the sensor array in the x direction.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to the first aspect, for example, a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in a line at a pitch p in the y direction in the first sensor array, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in the y direction in the second sensor array. Are arranged in a row at a pitch p, but the first sensor row is arranged with the y-direction position shifted by p / 2, and after the first measurement, the second sensor row is positioned at the position of the first sensor row for the first time. If the sensor array is moved in the x direction so as to overlap, and the second measurement is performed, the pitch in the y direction of the measurement points can be made half of the pitch in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor. The pitch in the x direction of the measurement points can be arbitrarily set by the pitch for moving the sensor array in the x direction. Therefore, the measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged.
Since the sensor array can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress complication of the configuration and to suppress an increase in the number of measurements.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides the superconducting magnetometer having the above-described configuration, wherein the dimension of the superconducting magnetic sensor in the y direction is d, the pitch in the y direction is p, and the pitch of the sensor array is w. When the coordinates of the j (j = 1, 2,...) Superconducting magnetic sensor in the i-th (i = 1, 2,...) Column are (x1 + (i−1) × w, y1 + (j−1)). (* P + (i-1) * p / N), and d <p <2d.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to the second aspect, the pitch p in the y direction where a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged is larger than d, but the pitch in the y direction where the measurement points can be set is 1 / p of p. N.
Since the superconducting magnetic sensors cannot be arranged in the y direction at an interval smaller than the dimension d in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor, d <p, and if p> 2d, the superconducting magnetic sensor can be arranged in the middle. Since it contradicts the purpose of increasing the density, p <2d.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus having the above-described configuration, and further includes a sensor array in which the sensor arrays of the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) sensor rows are repeated in the x direction. A superconducting magnetometer is provided.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to the third aspect, the number of sensor arrays increases, but the number of measurements can be reduced.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to first to Nth (Nth) N-th (N) lines in which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in a line in the y direction by shifting the position in the y direction with respect to the superconducting magnetic sensors of adjacent sensor arrays. ≧ 2) A superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus having a sensor array in which sensor rows are arranged in the x direction, and supporting the subject in a state where the measurement target portion of the subject is close to the sensor array, and the subject in the x direction The present invention provides a superconducting magnetic measurement system comprising a bed apparatus that can be moved to a position.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement system according to the fourth aspect, for example, a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in a line at a pitch p in the y direction in the first sensor row, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in the y direction in the second sensor row. Are arranged in a row at a pitch p, but the first sensor row is arranged with the y-direction position shifted by p / 2, and after the first measurement, the second sensor row is positioned at the position of the first sensor row for the first time. If the subject is moved in the x direction so as to overlap, and the second measurement is performed, the pitch in the y direction of the measurement points can be made half of the pitch in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor. The pitch of the measurement points in the x direction can be arbitrarily set according to the pitch for moving the subject in the x direction. Therefore, the measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged.
Since the object can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the configuration and the increase in the number of measurements.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the superconducting magnetic measurement system configured as described above, wherein a dimension in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor is d, a pitch in the y direction is p, and a pitch of the sensor array is w. When the coordinates of the j (j = 1, 2,...) Superconducting magnetic sensor in the i-th (i = 1, 2,...) Column are (x1 + (i−1) × w, y1 + (j−1)). (* P + (i-1) * p / N) and d <p <2d. A superconducting magnetic measurement system is provided.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement system according to the fifth aspect, the pitch in the y direction where a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged is larger than d, but the pitch in the y direction where the measurement points can be set is 1 of p. / N.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention is the superconducting magnetic measurement system having the above configuration, wherein the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus repeats the sensor array of the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) sensor arrays in the x direction. A superconducting magnetic measurement system including a sensor array is provided.
In the superconducting magnetic measurement system according to the sixth aspect, the number of sensor arrays increases, but the number of measurements can be reduced.

  According to the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus and the superconducting magnetic measurement system of the present invention, the measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors can be arranged.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a superconducting magnetism measuring system 102 including a superconducting magnetometer 100 according to the first embodiment.
The superconducting magnetic measurement system 102 includes a bed 101 and a superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100.

  The bed 101 supports the subject H in a state where a measurement target site S (for example, a neck) is brought close to a sensor array (described later) of the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken right side view of the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus 100.
The superconducting magnetism measuring device 100 includes a base 1 having a rail 2 installed on the upper surface, a slide base 4 having a slide leg 3 that can slide on the rail 2, and an operator for sliding the slide base 4. Is operated by the sliding handle 5, the bearing 6 installed on the upper surface of the slide table 4, the dua 7 supported by the bearing 6 by the rotating shaft 8 and holding a refrigerant such as liquid helium, and the inclination of the dua 7 A rotating handle 9 operated by an operator for changing, a sensor cylinder 10 including an inner tub 10a and an outer tub 10b and projecting from the dual 7, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 disposed in the inner tub 10a. It is equipped with.

FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a state in which the inclination of the dewar 7 is changed to an upright position. FIG. 4 is a front view of the same.
The plurality of superconducting sensors 11 are disposed inside the sensor cylinder 10.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the position is changed by sliding the slide table 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the superconducting magnetic sensor 11.
The superconducting magnetic sensor 11 is a circle having a diameter d (for example, 20 mm), in which SQUIDs 11a, 11b, and 11c are arranged in a cylindrical block made of glass epoxy, and a pickup coil portion 11d is formed in a cylindrical block continuous with the cylindrical block. It is columnar.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11.
The first sensor row R1 includes five superconducting magnetic sensors 11 arranged in a row at a pitch p (for example, 20 mm) in the y direction.
The second sensor row R2 separated from the first sensor row R1 by a pitch w (for example, 20 mm) in the x direction arranges the five superconducting magnetic sensors 11 in a row at a pitch p in the y direction and The superconducting magnetic sensor 11 is shifted in the y direction by p / 2.

In general, there are first to Nth (≧ 2) sensor rows, and when the pitch in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor 11 is p and the pitch of the sensor row is w, the i th (i = 1, 2,... The coordinates of the j (j = 1, 2,...) Superconducting magnetic sensor 11 in the column are (x1 + (i−1) × w, y1 + (j−1) × p + (i−1) × p / N).
Further, when the dimension in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor is d, d <p <2d.

In FIG. 8, after the first measurement, the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction to perform the second measurement, and then the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction. Then, the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction to perform the fourth measurement, and then the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction to perform the fifth measurement. Thereafter, the slide table 4 is slid in the x direction by w / 2 and the sixth measurement is performed, and then the slide table 4 is slid in the x direction by w / 2 and the seventh measurement is performed. Is shown. That is, at both ends of the y-direction slide range, the y-direction pitch of the measurement points is equal to the y-direction pitch p of the superconducting magnetic sensor 11, but at the center of the y-direction slide range, the y-direction pitch of the measurement points. Is ½ of the pitch p in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor 11.
The pitch in the x direction of the measurement points is ½ of the pitch w of the sensor array.

  According to the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 can be arranged. Since the sensor array can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress complication of the configuration and to suppress an increase in the number of measurements.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 in the second embodiment.
In this arrangement, the same arrangement pattern of the first sensor array R1 and the second sensor array R2 as in the first embodiment is repeated in the x direction to provide a third sensor array R3 and a fourth sensor array R4. Are arranged in 4 columns.

  In FIG. 10, after the first measurement, the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction to perform the second measurement, and then the slide table 4 is slid by w / 2 in the x direction. The distribution of measurement points when the second measurement is performed is shown. Although the number of measurements is three, the same measurement point density and the same measurement area as in Example 1 where the number of measurements shown in FIG. 8 is seven are obtained.

  According to the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus of the second embodiment, the measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 can be arranged. Since the sensor array can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress complication of the configuration and to suppress an increase in the number of measurements. Furthermore, the number of measurements can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 in the third embodiment.
The first sensor row R1 includes three superconducting magnetic sensors 11 arranged in a row at a pitch p (for example, 20 mm) in the y direction.
The second sensor row R2 that is separated from the first sensor row R1 by a pitch w (for example, 20 mm) in the x direction has three superconducting magnetic sensors 11 arranged in a row at a pitch p in the y direction and The superconducting magnetic sensor 11 is shifted in the y direction by p / 3.
The third sensor row R3, which is separated from the second sensor row R2 by a pitch w (for example, 20 mm) in the x direction, has three superconducting magnetic sensors 11 arranged in a row at a pitch p in the y direction, and the second sensor row R2 The superconducting magnetic sensor 11 is shifted in the y direction by p / 3.

  In the third embodiment, after the measurement, the slide table 4 may be slid by w / 3 in the x direction and the next measurement may be repeated.

  According to the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus of the third embodiment, the measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 can be arranged. Since the sensor array can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress complication of the configuration and to suppress an increase in the number of measurements.

FIG. 12 is a right side view illustrating the superconducting magnetic measurement system 202 according to the fourth embodiment.
The superconducting magnetic measurement system 202 includes a bed apparatus 201 and a superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100 ′.

The bed apparatus 201 includes a base 1 ′ having a rail 2 ′ on the upper surface, a bed 101 ′ having sliding legs 3 ′ that can slide on the rail 2 ′, and a motor for sliding the bed 101 ′. (Not shown) and a shaft 5a 'rotated.
The bed 1 ′ supports the subject H in a state where the measurement target site S (for example, the neck) is brought close to the sensor array of the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100 ′.

  The superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100 ′ has a configuration in which the base 1, the rail 2, the sliding leg 3, and the sliding handle 5 are omitted from the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus 100 of the first embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, after the measurement is performed, the next measurement may be repeated by sliding the bed 101 'in the x direction.

  According to the superconducting magnetic measurement system 202 of the fourth embodiment, measurement points can be set at a density higher than the density at which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 can be arranged. Since the bed 101 'can be moved only in the x direction, it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration and the increase in the number of measurements.

  It can be used as a device for measuring a weak magnetic distribution of a living body.

1 is a right side view of a superconducting magnetism measuring system including a superconducting magnetometer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a partially broken right side view of a superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus according to Example 1. FIG. It is a right view which shows the state which made the dewar stand upright of the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows the state which made the dewar angle upright of the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a front view in the position made to slide in the state which made the dewar angle upright of the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a superconducting magnetic sensor. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors in the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing distribution of measurement points in the superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to Example 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | sequence of the some superconducting magnetic sensor in the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing distribution of measurement points in a superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to Example 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | sequence of the some superconducting magnetic sensor in the superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a right view which shows the superconducting magnetism measuring system which concerns on Example 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Rail 3 Sliding leg 4 Slide stand 11 Superconducting magnetic sensor 100,100 'Superconducting magnetic measuring device 101,101' Sleeping table 201 Sleeping device 201,202 Superconducting magnetic measuring system

Claims (6)

First through by arranging in a row each y position relative to the superconducting magnetic sensor next contact sensor array p / N (N ≧ 2) shifting allowed by a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensor in the y-direction in y-direction array pitch p a sensor array arranged in the x-direction arrangement pitch w in the N-th sensor rows x-direction, the front Symbol sensor array and characterized by including a moving means which can move in the x-direction movement pitch w / N in the x-direction Superconducting magnetometer. 2. The superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein d <p <2d, where d is a dimension in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor . 3. The superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor array in which the sensor arrays of the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) sensor rows are repeated in the x direction. Conducted magnetic measurement device . A plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in a line in the y direction at a pitch p in the y direction by shifting the position in the y direction by p / N (N ≧ 2) with respect to the superconducting magnetic sensors in adjacent sensor rows. A superconducting magnetic measurement apparatus having a sensor array in which the Nth sensor array is arranged in the x direction at an x direction arrangement pitch w, and supporting the subject in a state where the measurement target portion of the subject is in proximity to the sensor array. A superconducting magnetic measurement system comprising: a bed apparatus capable of moving the subject in the x direction at an x direction movement pitch w / N. 5. The superconducting magnetic measurement system according to claim 4, wherein d <p <2d, where d is a dimension in the y direction of the superconducting magnetic sensor. 6. The superconducting magnetic measurement system according to claim 4, wherein the superconducting magnetic measurement device includes a sensor array in which the sensor arrays of the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) sensor arrays are repeated in the x direction. A superconducting magnetic measurement system comprising:

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