# US 10,481,114 B1 · Probe and sample holder for magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging

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- Number: US 10,481,114 B1
- Document ID: US10481114B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/675,343
- Filed: 2017-08-11
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-11
- Assignees: University of New Brunswick
- Applicants: University of New Brunswick
- Inventors: Mojtaba Shakerian; Bruce J. Balcom
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481114B1

## CPC

- G01N 24/08: by using nuclear magnetic resonance (G01N24/12 takes precedence)
- G01N 24/081: {Making measurements of geologic samples, e.g. measurements of moisture, pH, porosity, permeability, tortuosity or viscosity}
- G01R 33/305: {specially adapted for high-pressure applications}
- G01R 33/307: {specially adapted for moving the sample relative to the MR system, e.g. spinning mechanisms, flow cells or means for positioning the sample inside a spectrometer}
- G01R 33/4818: {MR characterised by data acquisition along a specific k-space trajectory or by the temporal order of k-space coverage, e.g. centric or segmented coverage of k-space}
- G01R 33/54: Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences {; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console}
- G01R 33/246: {Spatial mapping of the RF magnetic field B1}
- G01R 33/4816: {NMR imaging of samples with ultrashort relaxation times such as solid samples, e.g. MRI using ultrashort TE [UTE], single point imaging, constant time imaging}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A core holder for a reservoir rock core sample for MR or MRI measurement including a casing and a chamber internal to the core holder, an inlet and an outlet in the core holder for circulating a confining fluid in the chamber, a sample housing in the chamber for containing the core sample, the sample housing including an inlet and an outlet in the sample holder for circulating fluid to and from the sample, and a membrane for isolating the sample from fluid contact with the confining fluid but permitting fluid pressure to be exerted on the sample when the confining fluid is pressurized, the space in the chamber not occupied by the sample housing defining a void space, an RF probe in the void space and at least partially surrounding the sample housing, whereby confining fluid introduced into the chamber circulates in the void space around the RF probe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A core holder for containing a reservoir rock core sample for MR or MRI measurement comprising:
a casing having sufficient tensile strength to withstand being pressurized to an underground formation pressure, comprising
a cylindrical wall and end closures for closing the ends of the casing wherein
at least one of the end closures is removable to provide access to the inside of the casing, the wall and end closures defining a chamber internal to the core holder,
an inlet and an outlet in the core holder for circulating a confining fluid in the chamber,
a sample housing in the chamber for containing the core sample, the sample housing comprising
an inlet and an outlet in the sample holder for circulating fluid to and from the sample, and
a membrane for isolating the sample from fluid contact with the confining fluid but permitting fluid pressure to be exerted on the sample when the confining fluid is pressurized,
the space in the chamber not occupied by the sample housing defining a void space,
a radio frequency probe, connectable to an NMR or MRI apparatus, in the void space and at least partially surrounding the sample housing, whereby confining fluid introduced into the chamber circulates in the void space around the RF probe.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The core holder of claim 1, further comprising a frame in the chamber for housing the sample housing and for supporting the RF probe, wherein the void space is further defined by the space in the chamber not occupied by the frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The core holder of claim 2, wherein the frame is a skeletal frame.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The core holder of claim 3, wherein the skeletal frame comprises two end rings held in a spaced and substantially parallel relation by at least two interconnecting rods whereby the central axes of the two end rings are substantially collinear.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The core holder of claim 3, wherein the RF probe is wound around the skeletal frame.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The core holder of claim 2, wherein the configuration of the RF probe comprises a saddle coil configuration, a bird cage configuration or a solenoid configuration.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The core holder of claim 3, wherein the skeletal frame comprises a polymer or a ceramic.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The core holder of claim 7, wherein the polymer is PEEK.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The core holder of claim 2, further comprising a rock core sample in the sample housing and a confining fluid in the void space, wherein the confining fluid in the void space does not comprise nuclei of the type to be measured in the rock core sample, and wherein the frame and the RF probe are immersed in the confining fluid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The core holder of claim 9, wherein the confining fluid in the void space is a fluorinert or a silicon oil.

### Claim 11

A method for making an MR or MRI measurement of a reservoir rock core sample in an MR or MRI sample holder, comprising:
providing a core holder for housing a sample housing for containing the reservoir rock core sample;
providing a membrane in the core holder for isolating the reservoir rock core sample from fluid contact with a confining fluid but permitting fluid pressure to be exerted on the sample when the confining fluid is pressurized, and wherein space in the core holder not occupied by the sample housing defining a void space;
providing an exposed radio frequency probe connected to an NMR or MRI apparatus, in the void space and at least partially surrounding the sample housing;
circulating a fluid in the sample housing; and
circulating a confining fluid in the void space thereby immersing the exposed radio frequency probe in the confining fluid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising externally regulating the temperature of the circulating confining fluid, and thereby regulating the temperature of the sample.