Measurement of capillary flow using nuclear magnetic resonance

A method for providing an image of a sample, wherein individual elements of said image have intensities corresponding to the quantity of slowly flowing fluids contained in said sample, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating a first image using an imaging technique wherein:
• a first magnetization spatial periodicity is established;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said first magnetization spatial periodicity, and a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on said first magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• fast flowing fluids do not substantially contribute to the intensities of first image elements;
• (b) adjusting a magnetization spatial periodicity control parameter comprising an effective gradient;
• (c) generating a second image using an imaging technique wherein:
• a second magnetization spatial periodicity is established;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said second magnetization spatial periodicity, and a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on said second magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• fast flowing fluids do not substantially contribute to the intensities of second image elements;
• and
• (d) mathematically manipulating said first and second images to produce a third image the intensity of whose elements are determined substantially solely by the nuclear magnetic resonance of nuclei in slowly flowing fluids in said sample.

A method for providing an image of a sample, wherein individual elements of said image have intensities corresponding to the quantity of slowly flowing fluids contained in said sample, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating a first image using an imaging technique wherein:
• a first magnetization spatial periodicity is established;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said first magnetization spatial periodicity, and a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on said first magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• fast flowing fluids to not substantially contribute to the intensities of first image elements;
• (b) adjusting a magnetization spatial periodicity control parameter;
• (c) generating a second image using an imaging technique wherein:
• a second magnetization spatial periodicity is established;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said second magnetization spatial periodicity, and a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on said second magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• fast flowing fluids do not substantially contribute to the intensities of second image elements;
• and
• (d) mathematically manipulating said first and second images to produce a third image the intensity of whose elements are determined substantially solely by the nuclear magnetic resonance of nuclei in slowly flowing fluids in said sample.

An apparatus for providing an image of a sample, wherein individual elements of said image have intensities corresponding to the quantity of slowly flowing fluids contained within said sample, said apparatus comprising:

• imaging means for generating images in which substantially no contribution is made to the image element intensities by fast flowing fluids;
• means for adjusting a magnetization spatial periodicity control parameter comprising an interpulse interval, for allowing said imaging means to generate two images using an imaging technique wherein:
• respectively different magnetization spatial periodicities are established during the generation of said two images;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on the value of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• means for mathematically manipulating said two images to produce a third image whose image element intensities are determined substantially solely by the nuclear magnetic resonance of nuclei in slowly flowing fluids in said sample.

An apparatus for providing an image of a sample, wherein individual elements of said image have intensities corresponding to the quantity of slowly flowing fluids contained within said sample, said apparatus comprising:

• imaging means for generating images in which substantially no contribution is made to the image element intensities by fast flowing fluids;
• means for adjusting a magnetization spatial periodicity control parameter comprising an effective gradient, for allowing said imaging means to generate two images using an imaging technique wherein:
• respectively different magnetization spatial periodicities are established during the generation of said two images;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the values of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on the value of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• means for mathematically manipulating said two images to produce a thrd image whose image element intensities are determined substantially solely by the nuclear magnetic resonance of nuclei in slowly flowing fluids in said sample.

An apparatus for providing an image of a sample, wherein individual elements of said image have intensities corresponding to the quantity of slowly flowing fluids contained within said sample, said apparatus comprising:

• imaging means for generating images in which substantially no contribution is made to the image element intensities by fast flowing fluids;
• means for adjusting a magnetization spatial periodicity control parameter for allowing said imaging means to generate two images using an imaging technique wherein:
• respectively different magnetization spatial periodicities are established during the generation of said two images;
• a detected NMR signal from slowly flowing fluids is dependent on the value of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• a detected NMR signal from stationary material is not substantially dependent on the value of said magnetization spatial periodicity;
• and
• means for mathematically manipulating said two images to produce a third image whose image element intensities are determined substantially solely by the nuclear magnetic resonance of nuclei in slowly flowing fluids in said sample.