In <i>vivo</i>¹⁹f spin relaxation in index finger bones

Abstract

Abstract 19 F free induction decay (FID) signals have been observed from the index fingers of four male and two female adult volunteers using a 27‐MHz pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer equipped with a split ring resonator probe. The value of the in vivo spin‐lattice relaxation time T 1 of the fluoride ions naturally accumulated in bone mineral has been determined to be 2.0 ± 0.3 s. The shape of the observed FID signals in the inhomogeneous external magnetic field indicates that the F distribution is not uniform along the length of the finger. The fluoride ion content of the index finger (within a 65‐mm length from its distal end) was measured with a sensitivity of ±0.5 mg F within a 30‐min observation time