摘要 |
Tissue damage may be quantified, tissue type identified, neural activity monitored or blood hematocrit determined by measuring the difference between the total tissue sodium and potassium concentrations in the area in question. Comparison of these measurements with standard values permit evaluation of the amount of tissue damage in cells of the same type or the tissue type in non-necrotic cells. Evaluation over time of normal brain cells permit monitoring of neural activity. By directly and simultaneously measuring sodium and potassium ion concentrations, for example, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer can image areas of different tissue type in differing colors. In this manner tumors and lesions can be clearly delineated. Measurement of total potassium concentration of a blood sample and the potassium concentration of the cell-free plasma will permit determination of cellular volume fraction (hematocrit). |