GB2098088A - Selective paramagnetic resonance treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is described, whereby electromagnetic waves of specified characteristics may be used to alter the state of individual atoms, molecules or substances in a selective manner. This requires that the process is carried out under the condition of paramagnetic resonance and that the medium be subjected to the action of the said waves tuned to the characteristic spectrum of the substance. In order to achieve this, purpose-built apparatus is necessary and its main requirements are mentioned. Examples of some of the various modern industries in which the method could be applied are also given.

Description

SPECIFICATION Selective paramagnetic resonance treatment The invention relates to a method for changing or altering the chemical and/or physical and/or biological state or function of various substances by expos ure of the medium concerned to high frequency waves of high magnitude under conditions of paramagnetic resonance. The invention is particularly applicable where selected parts of a medium are required to be treated in order to alter it in a specifically desired manner and/or to obtain a well defined result without influencing the surrounding matter.

The basis of "Selective Paramagnetic Resonance Treatment" (SPRT) invention is paramagnetic resonance. This includes "electron spin resonance" (ESR) and "nuclear magnetic resonance" (NMR). For an understanding of how it works, it is helpful to imagine paramagnetic atoms or molecules in a strong magnetic field, lying like bar magnets, directly parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic field.

If exactly the right energy in the form of electromagnetic waves (called radio-frequency) - is applied to these atoms or molecules, they will resonate and "flip over" into the opposite direction.

The essence of Selective Paramagnetic Resonance Treatment invention is to use electromagnetic waves (radiofrequency) of high magnitude to modify or even destroy paramagnetic molecules, or substances containing paramagnetic atoms or molecules, by selective absorption of energy, under the condition of paramagnetic resonance. Every substance treated with electromagnetic waves of high frequency absorbs some energy from these waves and by various quantomechanical processes converts it into heat. If this process is carried out under conditions of paramagnetic resonance the atoms or molecules which are in paramagnetic resonance with an external electromagnetic field gain energy (and temperature) much faster than the surrounding lattice.This could lead to selective mod ification or selective destruction of the material containing these paramagnetic elements - especially if it is biologicai material. Selective Paramagnetic Reso nance Treatment could be used forthe destruction of unwanted cells in biological culture, for instance. For this purpose special apparatus should be employed.

Such apparatus should comprise a homogeneous magnetic field of magnitude in the region above one tesla and a means of introducing radio waves of variable frequency and high amplitude. The said apparatus is "tuned" to the "line" in the characteristic spectrum which is present in the unwanted cells but not in any of the others and the magnitude ofthe radiofrequency is increased. The optimum mag nitude should be established experimentally or by calculation for each case. Treatment with SPRT is carried out as long and as frequently as it is found necessary in order to destroy the unwanted cells without damaging any of the other cells.

The method according to the invention may be used wherever it is desired to change, or modify, the state of the whole or part of a medium, to selectively destroy part of the medium without damaging the surrounding lattice of that medium, as well as in the process of the separation or extraction of isotopes, atoms, molecules and/or cells. The method can be typically applied in the following fields, but these examples are by no means exhaustive: 1. Selective destruction or modification or organic matter; 2. Bio-engineering; 3. The plastics industry and the forming of new materials; 4. The nuclear industry; 5. The pharmaceutical industry; 6. The photographic and dyeing industries, involving specialist chemicals.

1. A method for modification, alteration, separation, conversion, synthesis and/or destruction of medium which comprises irradiation of that medium with high frequency electromagnetic waves, continuously or in pulses, under conditions of paramagnetic resonance including nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance, specifically using characteristic paramagnetic spectra of that medium.

2. A method according to claim I, in which oni one characteristic frequency is used at fixed or variable amplitude.

3. A method according to claim 1, in which more than one frequency is used, simultaneously or in sequence with fixed or variable amplitudes.

4. A method according to the aforementioned claims in which continuous or pulsed radio waves of fixed frequency and a constant magnetic field are used.

5. A method according to claims 1 to 4, in whirl the frequency of the electromagnetic waves is fixed and the magnitude of the magnetic field is allowed to vary.

6. A method according to claims 1 to 5, in which the magnitude of the magnetic field and/or the frequency and/or the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves are changing continuously or in scans or in steps.

7. A method oftreatment according to all previous claims specifically utilising paramagnetic resonance with the aim of changing the state of the medium.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Selective paramagnetic resonance treatment The invention relates to a method for changing or altering the chemical and/or physical and/or biological state or function of various substances by expos ure of the medium concerned to high frequency waves of high magnitude under conditions of paramagnetic resonance. The invention is particularly applicable where selected parts of a medium are required to be treated in order to alter it in a specifically desired manner and/or to obtain a well defined result without influencing the surrounding matter. The basis of "Selective Paramagnetic Resonance Treatment" (SPRT) invention is paramagnetic resonance. This includes "electron spin resonance" (ESR) and "nuclear magnetic resonance" (NMR). For an understanding of how it works, it is helpful to imagine paramagnetic atoms or molecules in a strong magnetic field, lying like bar magnets, directly parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic field. If exactly the right energy in the form of electromagnetic waves (called radio-frequency) - is applied to these atoms or molecules, they will resonate and "flip over" into the opposite direction. The essence of Selective Paramagnetic Resonance Treatment invention is to use electromagnetic waves (radiofrequency) of high magnitude to modify or even destroy paramagnetic molecules, or substances containing paramagnetic atoms or molecules, by selective absorption of energy, under the condition of paramagnetic resonance. Every substance treated with electromagnetic waves of high frequency absorbs some energy from these waves and by various quantomechanical processes converts it into heat. If this process is carried out under conditions of paramagnetic resonance the atoms or molecules which are in paramagnetic resonance with an external electromagnetic field gain energy (and temperature) much faster than the surrounding lattice.This could lead to selective mod ification or selective destruction of the material containing these paramagnetic elements - especially if it is biologicai material. Selective Paramagnetic Reso nance Treatment could be used forthe destruction of unwanted cells in biological culture, for instance. For this purpose special apparatus should be employed. Such apparatus should comprise a homogeneous magnetic field of magnitude in the region above one tesla and a means of introducing radio waves of variable frequency and high amplitude. The said apparatus is "tuned" to the "line" in the characteristic spectrum which is present in the unwanted cells but not in any of the others and the magnitude ofthe radiofrequency is increased. The optimum mag nitude should be established experimentally or by calculation for each case. Treatment with SPRT is carried out as long and as frequently as it is found necessary in order to destroy the unwanted cells without damaging any of the other cells. The method according to the invention may be used wherever it is desired to change, or modify, the state of the whole or part of a medium, to selectively destroy part of the medium without damaging the surrounding lattice of that medium, as well as in the process of the separation or extraction of isotopes, atoms, molecules and/or cells. The method can be typically applied in the following fields, but these examples are by no means exhaustive: 1. Selective destruction or modification or organic matter; 2. Bio-engineering; 3. The plastics industry and the forming of new materials; 4. The nuclear industry; 5. The pharmaceutical industry; 6. The photographic and dyeing industries, involving specialist chemicals. CLAIMS

1. A method for modification, alteration, separation, conversion, synthesis and/or destruction of medium which comprises irradiation of that medium with high frequency electromagnetic waves, continuously or in pulses, under conditions of paramagnetic resonance including nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance, specifically using characteristic paramagnetic spectra of that medium.

2. A method according to claim I, in which oni one characteristic frequency is used at fixed or variable amplitude.

3. A method according to claim 1, in which more than one frequency is used, simultaneously or in sequence with fixed or variable amplitudes.

4. A method according to the aforementioned claims in which continuous or pulsed radio waves of fixed frequency and a constant magnetic field are used.

5. A method according to claims 1 to 4, in whirl the frequency of the electromagnetic waves is fixed and the magnitude of the magnetic field is allowed to vary.

6. A method according to claims 1 to 5, in which the magnitude of the magnetic field and/or the frequency and/or the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves are changing continuously or in scans or in steps.

7. A method oftreatment according to all previous claims specifically utilising paramagnetic resonance with the aim of changing the state of the medium.