Apparatus and methodology for determining oxygen in biological systems

A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising

• means for introducing india ink into the biological system,
• magnetic means for applying a first magnetic field to the biological system,
• radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 100 MHz and about 5 GHz to the biological system to excite the india ink to a higher energy state, said excited india ink then relaxing at a rate dependent upon the presence of oxygen in the biological system, and
• means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system, said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.

A system for determining oxygen tension within a biological system, comprising

• means for introducing an electron paramagnetic material into the biological system,
• magnetic means for applying a magnetic field to the biological system,
• radiation means for applying electromagnetic radiation having a selected substantially constant frequency to the biological system to excite the paramagnetic material,
• resonator means operable at a selected resonant frequency,
• tuning means for tuning said resonant frequency of said resonator to match said constant frequency radiation means to maintain a constant resonant frequency in response to movements in the biological system, and
• means for determining the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the biological system,
• said spectra being indicative of the oxygen tension within the biological system.