Coil-on-a-Chip™ Technology

Surface Microcoils for MR Imaging

3D MR gradient echo images of the striatum region of an isolated mouse brain at 5x5x5μm3 isotropic resolution
Isolated mouse brain at 5x5x5μm3 isotropic resolution
Surface redering (Courtesy: S. Blackband et al., NHMFL, Univ. of Florida)

Modern magnetic resonance micro-imaging applications require the investigation of submillimeter samples at very high isotropic spatial resolution of 10 μm and less. A technological breakthrough for these applications is Bruker BioSpin’s new Coil-on-a-Chip™ micro-imaging technology.
 

High resolution spin echo imaging of silicone oil beads.
Silicone oil beads.

Based on surface microcoils with diameters as small as 20 μm, a gain in mass-sensitivity up to a factor of 50 compared to conventional 5 mm micro-imaging coils can be achieved. This allows 3D MR imaging with a voxel volume of only 1 picoliter in less than one hour. The new microcoils can be used as exchangeable inserts in vertical bore magnets and are compatible with standard micro-imaging probes.
 

Coil-on-a-Chip Technology provides:

  • Ultimate mass-sensitivity for MR imaging a high resolution of 10 μm and less

  • Imaging of small samples with reduced field of view of 1 mm2 and below

  • Ease of use since the sample can simply be eposited directly on to the chip surface
  • Exchangeable insert technology for full ompatibility with existing Bruker micro-imaging hardware and software
     

About Coil-on-a-Chip Technology

Images of phantom micro-structures obtained with a 50-μm diameter coil at 9.4 T (400 MHz) at 6x6x9 μm3 resolution.
Coil-on-a-Chip technology is based on a state-of-the-art microfabrication

Similar to the process used in the fabrication of microelectronic circuits, Coil-on-a-Chip technology is based on a state-of-the-art microfabrication process developed specifically to satisfy the unique requirements set by NMR applications.

The use of photolithography enables the fabrication of very small structures with a high degree of precision and reproducibility. This guarantees high performance,
even for extremely miniaturized coils.

With Coil-on-a-Chip technology, NMR steps into the world of Lab-on-a-Chip devices. By making it possible to work efficiently with small volume samples, Lab-on-a-Chip devices are revolutionizing the world of chemical and biological analysis.