The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and
methods for measuring materials with NMR and/or MRI. Exemplary
embodiments provide a sensor array for NMR mapping of the material. For
example tissue can be measured with the sensor array mounted on a probe
body having a distal portion which can be inserted through a minimally
invasive aperture. While many tissues can be measured and/or diagnosed,
one exemplary embodiment includes a probe adapted for insertion into a
lumen of a blood vessel. The sensor array can provide improved spatial
resolution of tissue and/or tissue structures positioned near the sensor
array to diagnose potentially life threatening diseases, for example a
fibrous cap covering a vulnerable plaque. In specific embodiments, the
sensors are attached to an expandable member, for example a balloon,
which can be inflated to urge the probe sensors radially outward to
position the sensors near the tissue structures.