This represents a revolutionary new method for improving resolution in magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Relatively large resonance line widths represent an inherent limitation of conventional magnetic resonance spectroscopy, particularly for biological objects. Methods of addressing this limitation have included the use of higher magnetic fields and magic angle spinning (MAS). However, improvements due to higher fields have been limited due to magnetic susceptibility broadening, and the use of conventional MAS has been restricted to solids due to the relatively high spin rates (typically on the order of kHz) required.

The new method developed at PNNL enables high resolution at spinning rates below 8 Hz. Much improved spectral data from live animals has been obtained at these spin rates with no negative impacts on the animals. For "ex-vivo" studies, slow-MAS at 80 Hz has been shown to consistently provide better spectral resolution than fast-MAS at 2kHz on tissue samples analyzed in the same instrument. The technique has also been successfully used to obtain relatively well-resolved spectral data from the liver and heart of a live mouse. The technique is thought to be useful for both in-vivo and ex-vivo biological research in which line broadening limits spectral resolution, but the integrity of the sample would be damaged by conventional MAS. It is particularly useful when available sample sizes are small (e.g., 300μg/300nL), which is frequently the case in small animal research. The detailed spectroscopic information provided by the method could be a valuable complement to information obtained with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eventually, it is believed that the method could be applied to human patients through rotation of the magnetic field rather than rotation of the patient.

The technology also includes a method and apparatus for discrete, non-continuous rotation of a sample to improve resolution in magnetic resonance spectroscopy.  Using this technique, a sample is rotated between 240 and 360 degrees in one direction and then counter rotated in the opposite direction.  Use of the technique allows for introducing feed lines and tubes into the sample rotor, which permits in situ control over temperature, pressure, flow conditions, feed compositions, and the like in real time, providing a new method applicable to a variety of in situ investigations.  Resolution for chemical shift anisotropic-isotropic 2D correlation spectra was found to be at least equivalent to, and frequently better than that obtained in a single continuous rotation direction at a stable speed. 

A patented device and method for analyzing small amounts of biological samples using the slow magic angle spinning method has also been developed.  The design of the device substantially increases the sensitivity in analyzing small samples, and the gentle nature of the slow magic angle spinning method preserves sample structure and integrity.