GB2389418A - Bone fracture detection using resonance - Google Patents
Bone fracture detection using resonance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2389418A GB2389418A GB0208297A GB0208297A GB2389418A GB 2389418 A GB2389418 A GB 2389418A GB 0208297 A GB0208297 A GB 0208297A GB 0208297 A GB0208297 A GB 0208297A GB 2389418 A GB2389418 A GB 2389418A
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- magnetic field
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- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 208000010392 Bone Fractures Diseases 0.000 title abstract description 17
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 61
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 6
- 102000004067 Osteocalcin Human genes 0.000 description 5
- 108090000573 Osteocalcin Proteins 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000002595 magnetic resonance imaging Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001066 destructive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002964 excitative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013076 target substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical group [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005355 Hall effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012307 MRI technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005481 NMR spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005294 ferromagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013421 nuclear magnetic resonance imaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000011164 ossification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002887 superconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000001519 tissue Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000014616 translation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/45—For evaluating or diagnosing the musculoskeletal system or teeth
- A61B5/4504—Bones
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
- A61B5/055—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
- G01R33/441—Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance [NQR] Spectroscopy and Imaging
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Rheumatology (AREA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
A detection device comprising: an electro-magnetic field generator; a magnetic field sensor positioned within the magnetic field of the field generator; and a signal generator for generating an alternating signal of a selected frequency for driving the magnetic field generator. The selected frequency causes resonant fields to be generated within the target, thereby altering the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field provided by the device is produced entirely by the signal generator driving the magnetic field generator. The device of the invention can be used to detect the presence of a selected nucleus, ion or atomic bond within a body, or the change in the density of that particular target over time. Specifically, sulphur nuclei in osteocalin can be used to indicate the presence of a bone fracture.
Description
238941 8
A DETECTION DEVICE
Backeround of the invention This invention relates to detection devices, particularly devices which detect the presence 5 of, or change in quantity of, a target substance within a body under examination.
Particularly, the invention relates to non-destructive detection devices.
There are many different types of detection device, for analysing the constituents of a body under examination. Many detection techniques for analysing the constituents of a body 10 under examination are destructive, and require a sample to be taken. Many non-destructive techniques rely upon imaging of the body, for example examining the absorption or reflection characteristics of the body in response to exposure to a specific radiation. The image is then analysed and appropriate evaluations made concerning the composition of the body. X-Ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging are examples of imaging 15 techniques widely used in the medical diagnostic field.
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy enable detection specifically of certain atomic nuclei with nuclear magnetic moment. Typically, a magnetic resonance imaging system applies a powerful establishing field (typically 0.5 to 2.0 Tesla) using a
20 permanent magnet, for example a superconductor magnet, to which a controlled lower energy field is added using so-called "gradient magnets". This results in a very high
power, costly and bulky device.
Typically, imaging systems need to rotate an emitter and sensor complex around the 25 subject, to produce an image. For this purpose, the emitter and receiver have to be kept aligned and so usually they are designed as fixed installations. This also means that the subject is required to remain still within the imager, often for extended periods of time, due to the tirme required to perform the scan. Even 2D X-ray systems take time to set up and process. Typically, an object to be imaged, such as an injured person, needs to be moved to where an imaging system is located. Also, the suspected area must be manipulated into position within the equipment, which of course is not desirable for suspected serious injuries.
Many imaging systems also require heavy computational software to reconstruct an image.
There are, however, many applications where a detailed image is not required, but non invasive detection is nevertheless desirable.
Summary of the invention
According to the invention, there is provided a detection device comprising: an electro magnetic field generator; a magnetic field sensor positioned within the magnetic field of
the field generator; and a signal generator for generating an alternating signal of a selected
10 frequency for driving the magnetic field generator, wherein the selected frequency is
selected to cause resonant fields to be generated within the target, thereby altering the
magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor, and wherein the magnetic field
provided by the device is produced entirely by the signal generator driving the magnetic field generator.
The device of the invention can be used to detect the presence of a selected nucleus, ion or atomic bond within a body, or the change in the density of that particular target over time.
The invention relies upon the interference between magnetic fields, but avoids the need for
a high energy establishing field. Instead, the magnetic field provided by the device is
20 entirely from the signal generator at the selected frequency.
The device of the invention does not provide detailed imaging capability, but instead provides detection of the presence of a target based on the effect of resonance of that target on an applied magnetic field.
One particular application of the device of the invention is in a system designed to detect the presence of a unique component within bone fractures. For this purpose, the target comprises sulphur nuclei, because detection of the sulphur in osteocalcin can be used as an indicator of the presence of a bone fracture. The selected frequency is then approximately 30 767.0123 MHz, to correspond to the resonant frequency of 767.0123 MHz of sulphur.
The system can be reduced to a hand held, battery operated device, for example giving visual and audible signals when the sulphur is detected, thus indicating the presence of a
fracture. Such a device can be low powered, easily used, easily understood, simply constructed, robust and give a definitive indication of detection of a fracture.
The device may, however, be used for detection of other atoms, ions or atomic bonds, and 5 for this purpose the signal generator is preferably tuneable to different selected frequencies.
This enables a single device to be used for different applications.
Preferably, the electro-magnetic field generator comprises a electric conductor winding
around a non-magnetic core. The magnetic field is then purely electromagnetic and easily
10 controllable. The non-magnetic core may comprise a toroid.
Brief description of the invention
Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Figure 1 shows a device of the invention; Figure 2 shows the internal circuitry of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows the magnetic field generated by the device and one possible
location of the magnetic field sensor.
20 Detailed description
The invention provides a device for detecting the presence of a particular target substance within a body under examination, in a non- invasive manner. One specific application of the invention Will first be described, and the other possible applications for the invention will then briefly be discussed.
The specific example to be illustrated concerns the detection of fractures in human bone.
When any injury has been sustained where a fracture is even suspected, diagnosis is of paramount importance to the persons involved. This is especially true of situations involving children. Currently, for a definite determination of fracture to be made, it is 30 necessary to image the suspected area.
The invention stems from the observation that sulphur is a constituent of osteocalcin, a know bone formation factor. Research has shown that osteocalcin is a principle protein in
bone protein formation, and as such concentrates around a fracture site. This wild increase the proportion of sulphur in the fracture area. Sulphur is not widely present in other body tissue, so that the detection of sulphur can be used as a tool for diagnosing fracture.
5 The principle idea behind the device, in this application, is the use of a relatively low-
powered magnetic field to detect the change in the levels of sulphur in the region of a
fracture site. Figure 1 shows a device in accordance with the invention.
The device comprises a magnetic field generator 1 in the form of an electrical winding
10 around a non-magnetic (non-ferrous) core forming an electromagnet. A tuneable (or factory-tuned) alternating signal generator 2 is provided for driving the electromagnet. A magnetic field sensor 3 is provided within the field of the electromagnet. Various types of
magnetic field sensor are available, such as hall-effect sensors, searchcoil magnetometers,
flux-gate magnetometers and magnetoresistive magnetometers.
One particularly suitable class of magnetic sensors operates according to the so-called "giant magnetoresistive effect". In such devices, a change in resistance is observed when stacked layers of ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic (but conductive) materials are exposed to a magnetic field.
The device can provide a simple output based on the analysis of the output from the sensor, and circuitry 4 is provided for this purpose. The device may be battery powered by a battery pack 5, and an interface 6 is provided for downloading data or supplying power (for example to recharge the battery pack 5). The device is enclosed in casing 7.
Figure 2 shows schematically the circuit connections within the device.
The magnetic field sensor 3 output is provided to an amplifierlcomparator integrated
circuit 10 which drives an output, for example in the form of an indicator circuit 12. For 30 example, the indicator circuit 12 may be in the form of a bar indicator, showing the level of distortion to the applied magnetic field produced by resonant fields within the target. The
indicator circuit is adjusted to give no response when the device is held by an operator,
although in reality, the operator affects the magnetic field shape by holding the device.
This variation is compensated for in a thresholding section of the indicator circuit 12.
The magnetic field generator 1 is driven by an amplifier 14, which amplifies the output
5 from the alternating signal generator 2. A waveform modulator 16 may also be employed for modulating the output of the alternating signal generator 2 before amplification.
In operation of the device, the sensor circuitry 3, 10 is powered first, to give a base reading with no 'applied' field present (the fields from the instrument itself should only offset the
10 base field value a little, if at all). This value is stored for later computation.
The alternating signal generator circuit 2 (possibly in combination with the waveform modulator 16) is then powered to produce a drive signal for the magnetic field generator 1.
In this particular example, the alternating signal generator 2 is tuned to the resonant 15 frequency of sulphur, the target constituent of Osteocalcin.
The drive signal is amplified by the signal amplifier 14 and fed to the magnetic field
generator l, producing a magnetic field around the generator l, and also within the
detection range of the sensor 3. Dotted line 18 indicates schematically the magnetic 20 coupling of the generator 1 and the sensor 3. The applied field peTTneates the area under
test when the device is brought close.
As a result of the alternating magnetic field, atoms of sulphur (in this example) are induced
to resonate and so produce a resonant magnetic field in response. This resonant field
25 interferes with the established field, changing the magnetic flux patterns around the field
generator 1.
The magnetic field sensor 3 detects the changes in the flux pattern due to the interaction of
the two fields. The output from the sensor is then electronically processed to determine the
30 variance in the sulphur levels between a healthy area and a fracture site, in particular using the amplifier/comparator circuitry 10.
As fracture sites should have proportionally more sulphur present, the level of interference Tom the resonant fields is higher than in healthy areas of bone. The chemical formula for
osteocalcin is C26'H379NsOsS2. As explained above, the target element is sulphur, which has a resonant frequency of 767.0123 MHz.
s Figure 3 shows the relative positions of the magnetic field generator 1 and the sensor 3.
The sensor 3 is located at a position where the change in field intensity is greatest when
there is interaction with a resonant field in the target. In the example of Figure 3, the
sensor 3 is placed within the plane of the coil winding (Figure 3a), but displaced from the 10 central axis of the coil I (Figure 3b). The sensor and coil are effectively magnetically coupled. In this specific implementation, the invention thus provides a detector designed to detect the subtle increase in magnetic response from a fracture site by monitoring the effect on an 15 established magnetic field by resonant fields produced by the target element.
The device of the invention avoids the complicated task of imaging the suspected area, by operating as a level detection device rather than an imaging device. This avoids the need for physical and electronic equipment specifically for the acquisition, processing and 20 accurate reproduction of images of the area under examination. As a result, the device can be made small enough to be hand held, so can be truly portable, as opposed to transportable' imaging systems, which require a large vehicle to move. The removal of imaging also means the device is very low powered, so can be run from internal batteries.
25 The use of a hand-held device that does not rely on sophisticated processing electronics also greatly decreases the time taken to diagnose a fracture. It also allows suspected fractures to be eliminated at the 'point of contact', thus reducing imaging demands on radiology departments, as well as costs.
30 The principles behind the detection are similar to those underlying MRI devices, namely the sensing of distortions of a magnetic field, as a result of the interaction of resonant
fields. The device of the invention departs from conventional MRI techniques, by the
removal of the powerful establishing field that is used as a reference in MRI devices.
The device of the invention relies on the detection of interaction effects between a low power excitatory field and the resonant fields produced by the target element.
5 The excitatory field may for example be generated by providing an a.c. alternating signal
with an rrns voltage of the order of 100 microvolts to the core winding.
Essentially, the device uses the low powered field to Twist' the targeted elements' nucleus.
This is accomplished by using an alternating drive signal to the coil. By the use of an 10 alternating signal, the resultant field generated will, when first established, twist the target
elements' nucleus in one orientation. As the field switches flow direction, corresponding
to the negative flow of current in the coil, the spinning nuclei will be forced to twist in the opposite direction. The action of nuclei twisting in a magnetic field generates a resonant
field in opposition to the applied field direction. The nuclei are continuously twisted back
1 S and forth by the alternating field, so continuously generate an opposing field to the applied
field. The result is an interaction effect, which reduces the strength of the applied field,
when the device is in proximity to its targeted element.
The device uses a magnetic field (flux density) sensor to determine the level of interaction
20 between the two magnetic fields. When the device is brought into proximity of the
targeted element, the field pattern around the coil will distort, as areas of compressed
magretic flux distend into areas were the applied field has been negated by resonant fields.
This changes the distribution pattern of the magnetic field within the coil centre, altering
the flux density through the sensor. The sensor detects the variation in the field and
25 produces an output signal in response. This output is fed directly to a comparator/amplifier IC, as the magnetic IC output is variable within a very small range and interference can cause error variation in the signal line.
One specific implementation of the invention has been described above, as a fracture 30 diagnostic device. However the principle of operation of the device can be applied to the detection of any target in any application. The invention is of particular benefit when detailed imaging is not required, but the presence, or change in concentration, of a particular target is of importance.
By changing the magnetic pulse frequency, the system can be adapted to detect other target ions, elements, or chemical bonds in the body or in other subjects. In particular, each ion, element and bond has a particular resonant frequency. By providing different tuning, the 5 range of professional fields widens. For example, potential uses can be contemplated in
the fields of Biology (tracking chemical densities in plants, bigchemical examination of
animals), Archaeology (location of artefacts), Civil Engineering (defect detection in materials) and Geology (material detection).
10 A device with a tuneable frequency will be flexible in its possible applications.
It is also possible to provide a device with multiple frequency generation. Multi-frequency systems will allow for the design of a general purpose scanner for use in any field where
rapid collection of composition and physical structure information is required, for example 15 in geological surveys. Such a system could employ a multi-element receiver, linked to a signal processor and an image processor, to produce real-time 3D images of the area being scanned. Thus, the device of the invention can be used within a low resolution imaging device, 20 whilst maintaining portability and low power benefits.
Other possible applications and variations to the specific example described will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (8)
1. A detection device comprising: an electro-magnetic field generator;
5 a magnetic field sensor positioned within the magnetic field of the field generator;
and a signal generator for generating an alternating signal of a selected frequency for driving the magnetic field generator, wherein the selected frequency is selected to cause
resonant fields to be generated within the target, thereby altering the magnetic field
10 detected by the magnetic field sensor, and wherein the magnetic field provided by the
device is produced entirely by the signal generator driving the magnetic field generator.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target comprises sulphur.
15
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected frequency is approximately 767.0123 MHz.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a device for detecting fractures in human bone.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generator is tuneable to different selected frequencies. i
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a hand-held portable 25 device.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electromagnetic field
generator comprises an electric conductor winding around a non-magnetic core.
30
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the non-magnetic core comprises a toroid.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0208297A GB2389418B (en) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-04-10 | A detection device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0208297A GB2389418B (en) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-04-10 | A detection device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0208297D0 GB0208297D0 (en) | 2002-05-22 |
| GB2389418A true GB2389418A (en) | 2003-12-10 |
| GB2389418B GB2389418B (en) | 2006-07-26 |
Family
ID=9934619
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0208297A Expired - Lifetime GB2389418B (en) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-04-10 | A detection device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2389418B (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4607226A (en) * | 1983-11-19 | 1986-08-19 | Brunker Medizentechnik GmbH | Measuring head and a method for recording high-resolution nuclear resonance signals |
| WO1990007760A1 (en) * | 1989-01-09 | 1990-07-12 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article surveillance system with improved differentiation |
| JPH04166794A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1992-06-12 | Osaka Gas Co Ltd | Detection of pipe joint |
| US5233300A (en) * | 1991-05-23 | 1993-08-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Detection of explosive and narcotics by low power large sample volume nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) |
| WO1997003366A1 (en) * | 1995-07-11 | 1997-01-30 | British Technology Group Limited | Apparatus for and method of nuclear quadrupole testing of a sample |
| WO1999045409A1 (en) * | 1998-03-06 | 1999-09-10 | Btg International Ltd. | Nqr testing method and apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9125883D0 (en) * | 1991-12-05 | 1992-02-05 | Nat Res Dev | Improvements in nqr testing |
| GB2319852B (en) * | 1993-09-27 | 1998-11-04 | British Tech Group | Method of and apparatus for testing a sample |
| GB9319921D0 (en) * | 1993-09-27 | 1998-03-18 | British Tech Group | Method of and apparatus for testing a sample |
-
2002
- 2002-04-10 GB GB0208297A patent/GB2389418B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4607226A (en) * | 1983-11-19 | 1986-08-19 | Brunker Medizentechnik GmbH | Measuring head and a method for recording high-resolution nuclear resonance signals |
| WO1990007760A1 (en) * | 1989-01-09 | 1990-07-12 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article surveillance system with improved differentiation |
| JPH04166794A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1992-06-12 | Osaka Gas Co Ltd | Detection of pipe joint |
| US5233300A (en) * | 1991-05-23 | 1993-08-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Detection of explosive and narcotics by low power large sample volume nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) |
| WO1997003366A1 (en) * | 1995-07-11 | 1997-01-30 | British Technology Group Limited | Apparatus for and method of nuclear quadrupole testing of a sample |
| WO1999045409A1 (en) * | 1998-03-06 | 1999-09-10 | Btg International Ltd. | Nqr testing method and apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2389418B (en) | 2006-07-26 |
| GB0208297D0 (en) | 2002-05-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE20 | Patent expired after termination of 20 years |
Expiry date: 20220409 |