A low-field P-31 NMR spectrometer to measure bone mineral in the human wrist

Nuclear magnetic resonance phosphorus spectroscopy (NMRS) is a method of measuring the mineral content of bone as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis. A description is given of the design and construction of a low-field spectrometer for the human wrist. It uses a small-size permanent magnet of neodymium-iron-boron. The questions of whether a low-field spectrometer is sensitive enough to measure the phosphorus mineral content of bone and to what extent the phosphorus in soft tissue affects the measurement of bone mass are discussed.<
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