The facility is located in Radiation Oncology Section of the main hospital. The clinical hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) chamber is in the same room. The clinical EPR facility is the first dedicated in vivo EPR spectrometer that has been designed specifically for making measurements in human subjects. The spectrometer is based on a permanent magnet fabricated for the purpose by Sumitomo Special Metals, Inc. The magnet has 60 cm diameter pole pieces with a 50 cm wide gap. Subjects can be positioned in the magnet in either vertical or horizontal orientation. For the horizontal orientation, there is a patient cart (gantry) on wheels that fits within the gap of the magnet that can be positioned as needed. For vertical orientations the subject can either sit in a chair or stand in the space within the magnet.

The EPR spectrometer and its controls have been constructed using the principles and apparatus of the experimental in vivo EPR spectrometers that have been developed in the EPR Center (described below). Special resonators and holders are constructed as needed to fit the anatomical locations and constraints for specific uses in human subjects. The facility also can be used for experiments with animals of any size that will fit into the magnet. Special gradients and modulation coils are available for use with small animals or small anatomical locations of human subjects or large experimental animals (e.g. for limbs). The facility has been equipped with an air flow based heater for controlling the surface temperature at the point of interest.

For further discussion of the clinical EPR at the Center, visit the Clinical Research page.