Quantitative NMR Clinical Analyzers With Automatic NMR Temperature Sensitivity Compensation that Accommodate Large Ambient Operational Temperature Ranges

Abstract

NMR analyzers and associated methods, circuits and computer program products that allow NMR operation in fluctuating ambient temperature environments of at least +/−5 degrees F. in a relatively large operating temperature range, typically between about 60-85 degrees F.) with the ability to still generate accurate quantitative measurements using an electronically applied temperature sensitivity adjustment based on an a priori model of temperature sensitivity and a detected temperature proximate the NMR signal acquisition (e.g., scan). The clinical NMR analyzers can be remotely accessed to evaluate linearity and temperature compensation adjustments.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An NMR analyzer, comprising:
 an NMR console;   at least one temperature sensor onboard or proximate the NMR console; and   at least one processor in communication with the NMR console configured to apply a post-signal collection temperature sensitivity correction to signal data in communication with or onboard the analyzer, the at least one processor configured to adjust NMR signal intensity associated with a sample undergoing analysis using a correction factor that varies with increasing and decreasing ambient temperature based on (i) temperature data from the at least one temperature sensor and (ii) a model of temperature sensitivity of NMR signal intensity over a defined ambient temperature range that is between at least about 63 degrees F. (17 degrees C.) to at least about 75 degrees F. (about 24 degrees C.),   wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate quantitative measurements using the temperature data and the model allowing for fluctuating ambient external temperatures of at least about 5 degrees F. (about 3 degrees C.) proximate the NMR analyzer within the defined ambient temperature range.   
     
     
         18 . The analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate quantitative measurements that are accurate to within about +/−2% over the defined temperature range, as measured by a trimethyl acetic acid (TMA) control sample. 
     
     
         19 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes a sensor that resides proximate a mixer box in the NMR console. 
     
     
         20 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the post-signal collection sensitivity correction is configured to allow for ambient temperature fluctuation of at least 12 degrees F. (7 degrees C.) within the defined ambient temperature range. 
     
     
         21 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the NMR analyzer is configured to analyze biosamples, and wherein the at least one processor can generate a quantitative measurement of at least one target analyte in a respective biosample that is accurate to within about +−10%. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the model is a linear or polynomial standardized model used for a plurality of different NMR analyzers. 
     
     
         24 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the model is based on data from in situ temperature versus signal measurements taken over a subset of the defined ambient temperature range at a field use site at installation. 
     
     
         25 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the NMR analyzer is configured to evaluate at least one target analyte in at least one type of biosample, wherein the NMR console can operate in an environment having a temperature range of between about 60-85 degrees F. while allowing for temperature fluctuations of at least 10 degrees, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to apply the post-signal correction to generate clinical quantitative measurements using NMR signal obtained at temperatures in the temperature range. 
     
     
         26 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the NMR analyzer is configured to evaluate a plurality of analytes in a human blood plasma or serum biosample, wherein the NMR console can operate in an environment having a temperature range of between about 60-85 degrees F. while allowing for temperature fluctuations of at least 10 degrees, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to apply the post-signal correction to generate clinical quantitative measurements to NMR signal obtained at temperatures in the temperature range. 
     
     
         27 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor can generate measurements of a plurality of target analytes in respective biosamples that have +/−10% accuracy using NMR signal from the NMR analyzer that operates within about a 60-85 degree F. temperature range. 
     
     
         28 . The NMR analyzer of  claim 17 , wherein the NMR analyzer is configured to evaluate a plurality of analytes in a urine biosample, wherein the NMR console can operate in an environment having a temperature range of between about 60-85 degrees F. while allowing for temperature fluctuations of at least 10 degrees, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to apply the post-signal correction to generate quantitative measurements to NMR signal obtained at temperatures in the temperature range. 
     
     
         29 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A computer program product for adjusting NMR signal intensity to compensate for temperature sensitivity of an NMR analyzer, the computer program product comprising:
 a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code comprising:   computer readable program code configured to adjust NMR signal intensity associated with a biosample undergoing analysis for temperature sensitivity based on (i) a temperature associated with at least one internal location inside the NMR analyzer or at least one external ambient location associated with the NMR analyzer proximate in time to signal acquisition of a respective biosample and (ii) a model of temperature sensitivity of NMR signal intensity over a defined ambient temperature range of between at least about 63 degrees F. (17 degrees C.) to at least about 75 degrees F. (24 degrees C.), wherein the NMR signal intensity adjustment varies as ambient temperature varies thereby allowing for fluctuating ambient temperatures over at least 5 degrees F. (3 degrees C.) within the defined ambient temperature range; and   computer readable program code configured to generate quantitative measurements using the adjusted NMR signal intensity.   
     
     
         35 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the computer readable code that generates the measurements is configured to generate clinical measurements of at least one target analyte in respective biosamples. 
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 35 , wherein the measurements are accurate to within +/−10%, and wherein the target analytes include lipoproteins. 
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the defined temperature range is between about 60-85 degrees F., and wherein the measurements are of lipoproteins in human blood plasma or serum biosamples. 
     
     
         38 . The computer program product of  claim 37 , wherein the computer program code that adjusts the NMR signal intensity is configured to generate measurements that are accurate to within about +/−2%, as evaluated using a trimethyl acetic acid (TMA) control over a 60-85 degree temperature range. 
     
     
         39 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the computer program code that adjusts NMR signal intensity is configured to adjust the NMR signal using different correction factors over at least about 12 degrees F. (about 7 degrees C.) within the defined ambient temperature range. 
     
     
         40 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the computer readable program code configured to adjust the NMR signal intensity comprises computer readable program code that defines a slope of temperature sensitivity associated with the model. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the model is a substantially linear model. 
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein the model is a non-linear model. 
     
     
         44 . (canceled)